Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1886 — MANY LIVES LOST. [ARTICLE]

MANY LIVES LOST.

Wreck of the WhaUng-Bark Atlantic Outside of the Harbor of San Francisco. [San Francisco special.] The whaler bark Atlantic was driven ashore a mile and a half below the Cliff House, and went to pieces in a few minutes, not a spar remaining standing. The wreck was strewn along the beach for three or four miles. About twenty-five men are believed to be lost. The captain and mate, with eight or ten mtn, were Saved. At the time of the disaster a dense fog and heavy sea prevailed. The Atlantic ielt here for a cruise in the South Pacific, after which she was to proceed north. She was an old vessel, having been built in 1851; was 251 tons register, and was owned by J. & W. R. Wing, of New Bediord, Mass. She was commanded by Capt. Thomas IN Warren. Following is Captain Warren’s statement of the wreck: “There was a heavy head swell and no wind. The currents were so •Strong that we could not get out of the «well. We let go both anchors, but the s,a fiwei t the decks, and was so heavy that the anchors could not hold. We dragged ashore and struck at 1:30 a. m. Men were being washed off during all this time by the immense waves‘which washed over us. The vessel went to pieces an hour and a half a'ter she struck. There was a very heavy -fog, and it was pitch dark. We succeeded in lowering two boats, but both capsized before g ttii g two boat-lengths from the «hip. The first boat contained Z. H. Doty, first mate. Anton Perry, third mate, and four or five of the crew. That was the last we saw of t iem. In the • econd boat were myself, second mate, Ring, and five men. When we were swamped the sea carr ed us in till we to ached bottom, when we dragged ourselves ashore. We made no signals of distress, as it was too foggy for any to be wjeen.” As soon as the captain reached the shore fie made his way in an exhausted condition to the life-saving station, a few hundred yards away, and gave the alarm. Th • apf>aratus was immediately got out, but owing to the darkness and fog it’ was some time before the wreck could be locat d. A line was then shot over her, but proved of no «eivice, as it became entangled in floating wreckage, and the vessel shortly went to The ve sei was valued at SIO,OOO, and her outfit at $15,000; insurance, $5,(0i1. The captain and crew numbered forty-two persons, and up to now only eleven are known to be saved.