Anchorage Daily Times May 28, 1929

SURVIVORS OF DISASTER TO ALASKA LINE VESSEL REACH SEWARD ON U.S.S. SURVEYOR AND SAIL SOUTH ON STEAMER ADMIRAL EVANS

LUKENS PRAISES NORD

MASTER OF SURVEYOR SAYS WORK OF LIFE-SAVING AT SEA MOST EFFICIENT EVER RECORDED

The liner Aleutian, the most palatial vessel in the service of the Alaska Steamship Co. sank in mid-channel at the south end of Amook island in Uyak bay seven minutes after striking a rock. Manual Dorris, janitor of the ship, was the only victim of the disaster. He lost his life when he went back to the sinking ship to obtain a lucky charm and was never seen again.

The vessel was so badly damaged that it filled quickly as it slid off the rock into deep water and completely disappeared.

The efficient work of the officers and crew in launching the lifeboats prevented a great loss of life. The ship listed badly but the boats were launched and filled with people without confusion.

As it sank the stern was thrown high in the air and the air pressure within the vessel caused towels, clothing, etc. to be shot through the portholes with great force.

All the people in the water were picked up by small boats and a gas-boat under charter to a nearby big game hunter took the women and four passengers to the cannery at Larson bay, from where news of the disaster was broadcast.

The coast and geodetic survey vessel Surveyor was at anchor in Zachar bay and upon receipt of the news rushed immediately at full speed for the scene. Upon its arrival it met the cannery tender Raven towing the lifeboats. All were taken aboard the Surveyor and given hot food and medical attention. Several sustained minor injuries.

Picking up the remainder of the survivors at Larsen bay, the Surveyor left for Seward.

Miss Miller of Latouche barely escaped when she jumped from the rail of the Aleutian clad only in a night dress and coat. She was hauled from the water just as the vessel went down.

As the lifeboats were being launched painter became fouled in one of them and only quick thinking on the part of Pilot Stimson in cutting away saved the same boat loaded with people.

Captain Gus Nord of the Aleutian and the crew of 111 and the four passengers aboard the Surveyor, arrived in Seward to board the Admiral Evans, which was on the other side of the large island at the time of the sinking of the Aleutian.

The coolness and efficiency of the officers and crew was demonstrated in their remarkable work of getting the boats away in less than seven minutes, and their work will stand as a credit to American shipping.

The Aleutian is in deep water with its hull so badly shredded that raising it probably never will be possible.

The Surveyor arrived here at 5:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon and the passengers and crew of the Aleutian
sailed southward at 9 o’clock last night aboard the Admiral Evans.

Captain Nord, master of the Aleutian, said: “Like Lindbergh, I have nothing to say, except that a fine vessel is lost. The boat is gone and that is all there is to it.”

Captain Lukens, master of the Surveyor, speaking of Nord and his men, said: “It was the most efficient act of life-saving at sea I have ever heard of.”

As the Surveyor docked, the victims started coming ashore, some with blankets thrown across their shoulders and the majority dressed as they were when they left the Aleutian.

Captain S.K. Gill of the Admiral Evans extended every courtesy to the shipwrecked passengers and crew, and with the co-operation of the local quartermaster’s department of the signal corps, which loaned cots and blankets, the Aleutian crew was made comfortable for the trip south.

J.H. Flickinger, local agent for the Alaska Steamship Co., outfitted the crew with needed clothing, etc.

A recheck showed 155 persons were aboard the Aleutian and that 115 of the crew land here. The others, aside from the passengers, were left at Larsen bay.

The 110 tons of cargo lost consisted mostly of cannery supplies and three carloads of copper ore taken aboard at Cordova.

The ship sank at 5:29 o’clock in the morning, not 5:30, Captain Lukens said. The ship apparently struck a pinnacle rock which could be located only by means of a drag line. He said the last time Uyak bay was charted was in 1917.

Mrs. Charles Weybrecht of Seward, widow of Colonel Weybrecht, sustained minor injuries to her limbs as she slid to the rail of the Aleutian as it listed.