Sunk in Three Minutes.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 September 1914, Page 2

Sunk in Three Minutes.

On a voyage between Seattle and South-Eastern Alaska ports the State of California struck a hidden reef and sank within three minutes —at least 37 passengers and crew going down with her. The ship was going at full speed, and a great, hole was torn in her hull. So great was the inrush of water that many passengers were drowned in their cabins before they had a chance of leaving them. Many of those who succeeded in reaching the deck were drawn down in the swirling, icy waters as the vessel went to the bottom. In the three short minutes between the time of striking the reef and the sinking of the vessel a wireless appeal for help was flashed into the night, and was picked up by the steamer Jefferson, of the Alaska Steamship Line, which, fortunately was near by. Within twenty minutes the Jefferson was on the scene, and rescued the survivors from small boats, but even in this short interval- many died from exposure to the icy winds and water. Gambier Bay has never been properly surveyed or charted, and few vessels enter it. Most of the passengers were Americans, either traders or excursionists, bound for an Alaskan destination. The exact number drowned is not known owing to all papers being lost.