The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-01-03
OF , MARYLAND IS
 TOLD BY CAPT,

The first authetic reports con- corning the disaster of the gas boat Maryland, wrecked on Decem- Der 13, near Ocean Cape. neal Yakutat Bay, was obtained from Capt. Carl Johnson ot the ili-f4 ecg little ship, who with his crew e. three men, are passengers on tAa Admiral Rogers enrou,e to iAe.t homes in Seattle.
 On December F the bo1t vas returning south after having spent the past season engaged in her ring fishing in the vicinity of Ko- diak Island. A snort distance from port heavy weather was en- coHntered and the little ship had rough going which q. times amounted to battle to prevent her from being swamped in the high seas.
 With no protection to run to the boat was kept on her course in the storm which was steadily incrcas- ing in violence.
 About five miles off Ocean Cape outside of Yakutat Bay, on the evening of December 13. Capt Johnson was trying to make out the light on the cape so as to ei.- able him to run to the protection of the inside waters of the bay
 Complete Darkness
 Complete darkness settled before the position of the ship could be obtained and adding to the hazard of the storm, snow and rain made 1t impossible to steer the boat which had been drifting under the strong cffshore wind. through the numerous reefs dotting the en- trance to the hanbor
 Storm Increases
 The storm had increased in fury and before the extremely danger ous position of the Maryland was known, the ship had drifted near the breaking water which marked the projecting rocks, and every effcrt Of, the crew. failed to head the ship to open sea
 Grounds on Beach
 The ship narrowly escaped de- struction on the reefs. and was safely carried through the heavy seas and grounded on the beach at pm. The boat struck tle shore and the engines stopped. The waves broke over the stranded vessel, each breaker forcing it further up the rocky beach, the men fearing it would break up from the force of pounding tons Of water
 Unable to launch the small life boat. the crew was forced to cling to the vessel all night until the tide receded. Before the water had lowered sufficiently to allow the men to get ashore, one of the crew was washed overheard, but was rescued by shipmate. Waves which swept the helpless boat, filled the holds and engine room, and all personal belongs were lost.
 A letter received by the Customs officials here from U. s. Commis- sioner Axelson of Yakutat, told of the final rescue of the men. Four days after the Maryland struck the beach, Capt. Johnson staggered into the Commissioners office at Yakutat nearly exhausted. Capt. Johnson told of leaving his ship mates on the beach near Ankow Inlet, which is several miles down the coast, and as he was in the best condition had gone ahead to secure help for his fellows.
 Commissioner sAxelson chartered gasboat and set out for the stranded three men. They were later taken back to. Yakutat and cared for by Mir. Axelson until the Admiral Rogers arrived. Theil passage was paid by the Govern ment to Seattle.
 The Maryland was 29 gross tons and was owned by her Cap. tain, Carl Johnson, and a brother who resides in Seattle. The other men who composed the crew ol the ship were: Arthur Button Alex Engstrom and Albert West