The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 6, 1901, Page 12

1 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1901, PROBABILITY THAT WRECKED STEAMSHIP RIO DE JANEIRO IS LYING FATHOMS DEEP IN MID-CHANNEL IS SHOWN BY USE OF A GIGANTIC DRAG-ROPE BY THE CALL'S DIVERS The location was at once noticed in the chart, and it was found that the two launches’ and the line of the drag rope | were in a radius where the water was | from twenty-nine to forty-three fathoms in depth. The gpot was just & mile from Point Diablo and about one and an elghth mile from Fort Point. In about ten minutes the taut lne be- came slack again and the launches came together, it being hoped that a diver | could go' down at the spot where the rope | canght At ‘this time the tide was about to | change and suddenly, fram below the " | surface of the water, a large plece of f| wreckage came to the surface. It was about six feet long and two feet wide and was vpainted a dark green color. s | The seats and ventilators of the Rio were of this color and the wreckage was | thought to be yart of her deck construc- | tion. One of the launches went after the day by | wreckage and took it aboard. The gen- s from | eral decision of the Japanese divers and |l on )mar‘d the launches was that the e divers and | drag rope had caught in_the top masts b "‘“"“Vizfl |of the Rio. Th ip was at the PRBE e spot where the rop ked steam- | 55 they believe, “hir\ 'h: wreekage came to the surface i wreck of_the steamship Rio de Janelr 1 in about thirty-f th of water in E he Golden Gate, Caught in Deep Water. { It was abselutely {mpossible for the . | twenty-one fathom depth of the rope to g have caught in anything but the top | f the Rlo in depths of water run- | geir Tom thirty to forty. fathoms. At | ess than tw epths the drag rope and its at- | B ia Ao hed weights would, it is believed, have " rope 1 an 'i the divers [\rn‘eedm‘l off Fort Point. It was some bodies of the passen- the Rio might be wedged a diver went down ch. The ebb tide was too w the man to remain below as forced to come to the surface. a, editor of the San Francisco Japanese publication, has lent in the rc to make s had the big d on Sunday In WHEN THE DRAG RoPE CcALGHT IN DEEPR PRy RS PKEPARXNC 'ro \pAYy o PGS N MILE ROCK most_valuz lost Rio, and ye y o drag rope be aga ght in the wreck of th g nt down on ar of fifteen fathoms right | The drgk rope was put out fternoon he sug- 1 used, | ve: g. but the ebb tide was | | successfrl work 11 es were obliged to work out | | t nd in doing so one of the ‘ raught in the e Japanese, 12 S HOHLYY IME PojwT| Foo winsrie r t ANEIGHTS BIAGRAM OF DKAQQXNG FPARATUS when the divers were He told the same story of incidents be- in order | | =5 . < | e arou 11 ‘ WHEN THE JAPANESE DIVERS SWEPT A WIDE PORTION OF THE GOLD- B Grandoroths d k for inte two minutes. ~Finally EN GATE YESTERDAY WITH DRAG APPARATUS TO LOCATE WRECK mother used tomake | We N Some Aoma 1 | i OF THE RIO DE JANEIRO. E 2 = w minutes had the of 1 A will mean more to the coming | e propeller cleared awas | X’ people lined Bakers bluffs and watched of those searching lw st ship. | | RIO’S DISTRESS WHISTLES. ; Witnesses Testify They Were Scunded ; | g & b generation than it does to us‘I even, because people didn’thave | | White | ] i After Vessel Struck. Major Thomas J. Blakeney, superin- l tendent of the Twelfth Life Saving Dis- & Y trict, resumed Lis investigation at 9:30 | O O ene o'clock 2y morning into the al-|knowledge of distress signals. i gl t and inefficiency of the | With reference to his escape from the wreck Holland sald he got into a | boat about six or seven minutes after th» Rio struck. He had Mr. Carpenter and members of the life saving stations from | Fort Point to Bakers Beach on the occa- | . fon of the wreck of the Rlo de Janeiro | another passenger in ihc boat with him. when we were boys and gxrls n the morning of February 22. Pilot | His boat had not becn lashed and had no ederick Jordan, C. J. Holland, third ‘<"\°"dh"}n‘h° ?th" boats b fast anc 2 ] e * aders ate ” covere: he steamer went down about You can never appreciate just |oficer: H. Donohue. sieerage stewara, | covered. The steamer went down about iand Dr Artubr o. :1. 1 22; s!‘flp: SUTL | With him got into the boat alongside. . geon, were the witne: examined. Then the mizzen topmast came down and how much bettera pariectcrust | swore positively that when the Rio \‘ cut his boat in two. When he came to the | struck on the rocks the whistles blew |Surface he caught hold of some wreckags |and afterward got upon a life raft, on | by him b makes the piz until you have once laid aside hog fat long enough to try WHITE COT- TOLENE. odot'ess and neutral vegetable product, it is the best shorten- Being a tasteless, ing and frying medium. The N.E.Fairbank Company, Chicego—Sole Manufacturers. FREE! Qur gainty booklet, “37 Public S mailed free to any addr ¥ o 2c stamps we will wend free ou page recipe book, “Home Helps,” edited vy irs. Rorer No Hog l'ut in COTTOLEP\B ARROW: BRAND e WELCHOR' NEPERA He '-‘25¢eqch 2 :for25¢ CLUEFT PEABODY.-&CO SEMAKE RS EAFE ROYAL Corner Pounh ana Try vaiises checked res three or four short blasts, followed by a blast that lasted until the ship -went | down, a period of time variously estimat- | ed by the witnesses as ranging from three | to five minutes. ‘The witnesses agreed also in saying that the whistles of the Rio were more than ordinarily loud and strong. In eliciting these two materlal facts Major Blakeney proved that proper sig- rals of distress were made by the Rio, and that those signals were unheeded and ignored by the members of the life sav- ing station. Pilot Jordan retold the old story of the wreck, and his experience. Major Blakeney was very searching in his cross-examination and probed into the matter of the divided responsibility for the loss of life in the wreck. The witness asseverated that the :pilot does not supersede the captain. He is an assistant of the captain in the navi- | gation of the vessel. He is employed because of his local knowledge. Jordan 4id_not know at the time of the wreck that a freshet was running out of the rivers emptying into the bay, but he learned of that fact later. “Do you consider it perfectly safe to bring in a vessel in a fog as dense as that of the morning of the wreck of the Rio_de Janeiro?’ asked Major Blakeney. “Yes 'sir, it is safe. 1 have done so hundreds of times, but it is never per- fectly safe to run in a fog even in the open = 1 had no thought of running upon a rock or cn the land: the only dan- ger would be of a collision with other boats on fishing smacks going out on the ebb tide.” ““Was it not the instruction of the Pa- cific Mail Steamship Company not to bring in vessels in a fog “Not_to me. 1 Knew that such instruc- tions had hoen issued to the captains, however.” C. J. Holland, third officer of the Rio, described how the danger signals were given on the occasion of the wreck. Im- modlntrh after the vessel struck, a blast was blown on the whistle continuously fop twenty-five or thirty seconds. ~Then o short blasts were blown as the sienal to abandon the ship. After thas Whisties were blown continuously util the ship went down. The witness. ad- mitted that he did not understand what the international danger signal was, and ad that when he Fecelved his license he was examined to_his knowledge of the rules of'the road, but not as to his | 13 1 | of the steamer | which were a lot of Chinamen and two or three white people. A fishing boat came un shortly afterward and took off the witness and the white passengers, |one of whom was Russell Harper, who had been severely injured. H. Donahue, steerage steward of the Rlo, testified that while he was acquaint- ed with the fire drill signal he was ignor- ant of the nature of distress signals. As soon as the steamer struck some short whistles were sounded in rapld succession and after that the whistle was blown con- tinuously. Tn ten mirutes after the ves- sel struck she dcwn, Dr. A. O. . the Rio’s surgeon, =aid that he was awakened by the shock 20ing on the rocks at 5.2 a. m. Two or three minutes after tha el struck he hearl a long blast of her vhstle. This was folicwed by a continu- | ous blast, which lasted without cessation until the steamer sank. The dast. blast was of about four minutes’ duration, from the time he walked frem his room, half the length of the vessel, to his boat. Daniel Lane, water {ender of the Rio, corroborated the statements of the pre- ceding witnesses as to the blowing of the whistles. The last and continuous blast was of four or five minutes’ duration. The Investigation will be resumed at 9 a. m. to-day. when the life-: sa\'ml sta- tion people- will be examined. DEFENDS CAPTAIN WARD. Witness Says He Objected to Going In Until Fog Lifted. Another witness came forward yester- day to prove that Captain Ward of the fl1- fated steamship Rio de Janeiro was a careful and prudent man. The testimony given Monday by Frelght Clerk George Engelhardt at the investigation now on before the Inspectors of Hulls and Boflers, to the effect that hours before the steamer sank Captain Ward had stated that he would- remain outside a week rather than risk taking his ship through | | the Gate in the dense log. as partly cor- roborated yesterday. flllam Brander r., & passenger who Saiven the wreck, Testified that Captain® Ward had 'made ractically the same assertion to him that Ee made to Englehardt. This was the only important testimony brought out at the invest tlon yester- Pilot Jordan was a witness, but he threw no further light on the subject. Brander was the first witness called. fore and after the loss of the ship al- ready published. He sald he had no idea of the ship sinking or that there was any danger. He testified that his watch stcpped at 5:39 o'clock and had been set n Francisco time the night before. He thought the ship sank ten minutes after she struck. He also volun- teered that he had read the account of the testimony given by Mr. Engelhardt and it reminded him of a similar conver- sation he had with the captain. When asked what that conversation was, Bran- der stated that Ward said he was not go- ing in because the weather was too fOREY. but Jordan wanted to go in. Ward told him, he said, that there would be no ad- vantage in making the attempt to go in until the fog lifted, but he might take them in by daybreak. Brander sald he was asleep when the crash came and he got out only five min- utes before the ship sank. He was saved by a life preserver, which he adjusted just before the Rio went down. He also tes- tified that the whistle of the Rio blew con- tinuously while he was on deck. Graham Coghlan, second officer of the | Rio, was called. His testimony was technical and nautical. He gave the in- spectors a correct account of the course | taken by the ship before she struck. After picking up the anchor, he =aid, the first course was NE. by N. The deviation of the compass was NIE. At 5:19 the course was altered one-half point to star- beard, making the course NE., % N. order was almost lmmedlately followed by one of NE. by N.: then agaln starboard one-half point. This order was qulckly followed by an order to starboard. Ship then struck. . These orders, the wit- ness said, were delivered within the space of three minutes. 'Coghlan said he could not see the quartermaster at the wheel, but the last named was following out his instructions as he repeated back each or- der. Coghlan fllr!her said that after the first order was made the Fort Point light was sighted in the fog. It seemed direct- 1y over them when the vessel struck. -He | said they were so close to the light that he could see the structure of the light- house, even with the light in his eyes. Pilot Jordan was the last witness. Be- fore he could be questioned. Attorney Mc- Allister. who represents the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, asked to_be allowed to introduce certain papers. His request was denied. Inspector Bolger informed the pilot that he was not on trial, but had been simply called. as a_witness and he was under the control of the State Pllot Commissioners and was subject to their inyestigation and judgment. Jordan sald he tried to impress the of- ficers that the Rio was sinking, But with the excention of Captain Ward, they did not think so. He sald the crew made every effort to get the boats away, but he aid not see many officers around. An_adjournment was then taken until 1 o'clock to-day. BODY STILL UNIDENTIFIED. The remains of the white man found floating in the bay at El Campo on Mon- day. and thought to be those of a victim of the Rio de Janeiro disaster, are still at the San Rafael Morgue awaliting identi- fication. Coroner Eden will be compelled to bury the body to-day Sl R claimed, as decomposition has set in. Followlng is a description of the cloth- icg found on the body: White sweater with dark wrist bands sewed on; letters “L. G."" embroldered on front of sweater, each letter more than an inch long; while woollen undershirt with letters “L. G.”* embroidered in red on right breast; brown flannel jumper with letters ‘L. G."” worked in white thread Inside of neck band. The gasoline schooner Jennie Griffin ar- rived from Bolinas Bay_ vesterday after- noon. While passing Point Diablo the crew sighted a body going out with the tide. The current was running so fast that no attempt could be made to secure The body was only partially dressed | the captain of the Jennie Griffin thinks it is the remains of one of the un- fortunates who went down with the Rio | de Janeiro. Shriners. We would advise our visiting Shriners not {o fail to see the Diamond Palace, the | randest jewelry store in the world. fihmtgnme\’: street. 'Phone Howard 1021 ABER 119 TAYLOR STREET. COMPARE GASH PRICES BUTTER 2t 29¢ ular size. Best value In town. — See ana sample at store. COOKING BUTTER, SQUARE 22%e¢. BAKING POWDER:=::" 25¢ large size ... Purest and best made. Uniform and re- liable. Limit 3 tins. NEW ORANGE MARMALADE 10c. > “Cook’s FLAKED RICE gk . eady Requires no cooking. Point Reyes or Hum- hnldt square Ex- 40c VANILA OR LEMON 25e¢. !‘rga, swee WALNUT an,::y Los Nietos; qu 5"?’?&?“1’!3’&“‘5&?}‘;‘; . 10c PoUND. . e PIHEM‘PI.E o 15¢ 0YST! Bajtmors Cove: S 25¢ mmon’g'sw édx-‘%:e;f;’:«dnng'rs 25e¢. CORN Masmarcweesne =) PABSDT?:;?ALT.’]%?ZEN $2.25. . ava an ocha b APRICOTS, $ POUNDS 25e. JESSE MflkflH avart e ...§50 brand In stock. R i n e FLOUR frgmisaci”” 722 (Qg PINK BEANS, 7 POUNDS 25e¢. ORDERS CALLED FOR. ADVERTISEMENTS. ELEGANT DRESS FABRICS. NOTE THE Low‘ PRICES. GENUINE FRENCH POPLINS width 43 inches, in a most complete ling of new spring des. g Price $1.00 Yard. GENUINE ENGLISH WHIPCORDS, 46 inches in width, 12 different shades, Price $1.00 Yard. FOULE TAILOR SUITINGS—A full variety of all the new mixtures and all summer ight. o Price $1.00 Yard. FRENCH WOOL CREPE de CHENE, in shades of Red, Blue, Grau, Rose and Reseda, Price $1.00 Yard. ENGLISH SATIN VENETIAN, full 52 inches wide, in the following new shades: Modes, Graus, Greens, Rose, Garnet and Blues. Price $1.25 Yard. FRENCH SATIN VENETIAN, high Panne finish; full 48 inches in width, in every desirab]e spring shade. Price $1.50 Yard. NOTE.—Our complete importation of NEW WASH SILKS for spring have been re- celved. They come in all the leading shades, also Pure White. @’@mzw RPO) @ 1892 m, u3, us, 19, ne, 121 POST STREET, |STUDEBAKER BROS. MEG. Coa | CHANGE OF FIRM. ! The San Francisco Branch of STUDEBAKER BROS. MFG. CO. will be succesded May First by STUDEBAKER BROS. CO. of California, A Local Company With Local Management. To prepare for this change, we reduce price on every vehicle In & stock amounting to ,000. All Pneumatic Rubber Tire and Solid Rubber Tire Runabout Wakons reduced TEN PER ; Cartlages Basket Seat Noveitles, and the entirs line of new 1301 N PER CEN ery Wagons "and Mountatn Wagons reduced FIFTEEN PER CENT. comprising _ different styl are reduced from TWENTY TO NT, all being at cost of manufacture the freight added, and many at less than first cost. O T v ot o and Double Harness, reduced TWENTY- | | | | Four hundred sets of Harness, | e PER CEN - | Twenty fine vehicles, including Victorias, Cabriolsts, Broughams, Four-Passenger Traps and Coach Gear Park Wagons are reduced about FORTY PER CENT, making the prices less than the original cost of manufacture. Every vehicle we own included in the reduection I Each vehicle plainly tagged. showing old An opportunity of THIS KIND to buy fine been offered in this city. both Single none are excepted w prices in each instanca, cles of a reliable firm has never befors STUDEBAKER BROS. MFG. CO., L. F. WEAVER, Manager. Market and Tenth Strects. _ THE The Money-Saving ‘SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES Furniturg and_Gamt § o oenis”SiFe” peposir AND TRUST COMPANY ONLY COST $5.00 PER YEAR « {And Upward). | WHY THEN WORRY OVER THE SAFE | KEEPING OF YOUR VALUABLES AND IMPORTANT PAPERS. ; Gorner California and Montgomery Streets, We have proved by our 20 PER CENT DISCOUN SALE our prices were right at all times. Before purchasing elsewhere it will be to your advantage to pay us a visit. We can furnish your house completely. Bargains in every department. CASH OR CREDIT. 0 PER CENT OFF FOR CASH. verything marked in plain fig- ures. KRAGEN FURNITURECO., 1015-1017 Market St., Tel. South 371 Opoosite Taylor. DR. MCNULTY. Is WELL-RNOWN AND RELIABLE OLD smehlhtmalmd Poison, Gonorrhaes, Gleet, Seminal Weakness [mputence and their -um Disor Book o ases of Men, free. ence. Ovvrfl{un'ox “Termn reasonable. 0ev'gs. Sundays. 10t 12, L,onml. nfi\onm:nnd-credlyenn Adential. Call o ad . ROSCOE McNULTY, M. D. 26} Kearny St.. San Fran ‘0, Cel- GUNS Weak Men and Women swn.b USE DAMIANA BITTERS. THE . Hours, Lafiin & Rand Waterproot Smokeless Powder, In bulk and loaded in sheils, Send for catalogue of sporting 00ds. GEO. W. SHREVE, 55 Market st. it Mexican remedy; gives health and strength to sexual organs. Depot, 323 Market. | able DR. WONG WO TEA AND HERD SANITARIUX, 84-786 CLAY STREET. San Francisco, Dee. 24, 1900. To all whom it may concern: In December, 1599, I was tak- en sick with Typhotd Fever, the most virulent type known to medical science. I had hemorrhages, both nasal and Intestinal, eight of the (0%, the _emine t ese_physician, was cal and with ona Gose ot nis tea stopped the flow of blood, there: by saving ry life, as I had been given up by my white physician, as well as by all my friends, Was unconscious four weeks, but by Dr. Wong Woa's wonderful skill he saved my life from this most fatal of all fevers. Although T Was confined to my bed three months, was to resume my vocation in six months from the time I went to bed, and now [ weigh 202 pounds, ned previously. a Dr. W first-class p SLPH N FOLKS, &5 San !-‘ranclsco Cal. more than I bad ever at- Golden Gate ave., FAVORITE | RESCRIPTION FOR WEAK WOM [PENNVRGYAL PiLLs .‘::-bl‘ilicl,lli’l‘i:-l:‘fi" EVGm‘fl s fon turn Mafl. 10,000 Texiimoials Il‘hmv Cheom! 'A‘-m l’lll.Afl l" NEW WESTERN HOTEL, EARNY AND WASHINGTON STS.—RE- modeled and renovated. KING, WARD & co." European_plan. Rooms, We to $1 50 day: $ fo §3 week; §5 to §20 month. Free baths; hot and cold water every room: fire grates in room; elevator runs all night.