Seward Daily Gateway May 27, 1929

STEAMER SANK IN SEVEN MINUTES AFTER CRASHING INTO ROCK SUNDAY MORNING AT 5:30 A.M.—LIFE BOATS LAUNCHED IN RECORD TIME—NUMBER HAULED IN FROM WATER—MISS MILLER OF LATOUCHE NARROWLY ESCAPED: CLAD IN NIGHT DRESS AND COAT SHE WAS FORCED TO JUMP FROM RAIL—JANITOR WENT BACK TO STATEROOM TO SAVE A CHARM AND WAS NEVER SEEN SINCE

ALEUTIAN VALUED MILLION DOLLARS

Coast and Geodetic Survey steamer Surveyor, at anchor in Zacher Bay when received news of the disaster—rushed immediately to the scene and picked up survivors—administered medical attention to several, gave them hot food—due to arrive in Seward this afternoon.

The graveyard of the Pacific , the North Pacific Ocean, claimed one more vessel yesterday when the SS Aleutian of the Alaska Steamship Company, making a special trip Westward from the local terminal port, struck a rock in mid-channel of Uyak Bay, sinking at 5:30 a.m. Captain Gus Nord, veteran skipper of the company, commanded the Aleutian.

Only one life was lost, according to the meager reports which brot practically no details excepting the statement the steamer had sunk and the passengers and crew were aboard the Coast and Geodetic Survey vessel Surveyor, Captain R.R. Lukens and would arrive in Seward this afternoon.

The first message from Captain Lukens was to the effect he would bring his ship into port this morning. The second wire stated heavy weather would probably delay him and the arrival was set for this afternoon.

LATER DETAILS

The SS Aleutian struck a rock in mid-channel at the south end of Amook Island in Uyak Bay and was so badly damaged that she filled immediately, slid off into deep water, disappearing entirely in seven minutes. As she sank her stern rose high in the air and from her port holes, due to the air pressure within, towels, clothing, etc. shot out with great force.

The spectacular and efficient work of officers and crew in landing the lifeboats prevented a great loss of life, it is reported, as the ship listed badly. Every boat was filled without the slightest confusion.

All the people in the water were picked up by the small boats; also by a gas boat of some big game hunters nearby, the latter taking the women and four other passengers to their camp at Larson Bay from which point the disaster was broadcast.

SURVEYOR RUSHES SCENE

The Coast and Geodetic Survey vessel Surveyor, Capt. R.R. Lukens, was anchored in Zacher Bay and upon receipt of the wireless message rushed, full steam, to the scene and upon its arrival met the cannery tender Raven towing the lifeboats. All hands were taken aboard the Surveyor then proceeded to Larson Bay where the balance of the survivors were taken on board and sailed for Seward. The last report from Captain Lukens was to the effect he would bring his ship into port at 5:30 this afternoon.

JANITOR WAS LOST

The only life lost was that of Manuel Dorras, janitor. He was aroused in plenty of time but returned to his quarters to get a lucky charm—a stone—which he always carried. He never returned.

One of the passengers, Miss Miller, of Latouche, barely escaped with only her night gown on and a coat hurriedly thrown over her shoulders, she had to jump from the rail into the water and was hauled into a small boat just as the ship went down.

A NARROW ESCAPE

On one of the life boats a painter became fouled but the quick work of Pilot Stimson in cutting it saved the boatload of people from being dragged down with the stricken Aleutian.

REMARKABLE WORK

Throughout the disaster, the discipline and coolness of the officers of the Aleutian is reported to have been extraordinarily remarkable. The work of getting the life boats away in less than seven minutes will forever stand, it was said, as a credit to American shipping.

The Aleutian sank in deep water, her hull so badly shredded that it is doubtful she will ever be raised. The Aleutian’s crew numbered 114.

Postmaster Charles Sheldon, of the Seward post office, reports there were seven pouches of mail matter lost. Claims may be put in for mail left at the post office up to last Friday night. Mr. Sheldon states all airmail was held in the local office.

SISTERSHIP TO YUKON

The Aleutian was built in Philadelphia in 1898 for the Ward Steamship lines and later sold to the U.S. Panama Railroad for $600,000 and renamed the Panama. The vessel was purchased by the Alaska Steamship Co. in 1927 and re-christened the Aleutian, a popular Alaskan name. The Aleutian was the sistership of the A.S.S. Co. steamer Yukon, which was likewise obtained from the Panama Railroad, having been operated under the name Colon.

FIVE PASSENGERS

Passengers out of Seward on the SS Aleutian numbered five, three of whom were Seward residents and two for Uganik. J.H. Flickinger, local agent for the A.S.S. Co., accompanied by Mrs. Flickinger, and Mrs. Charles C. Weybrecht, were aboard, the other two being John A. Johnson and Gus Wyman for Uganik. It is thought the latter two men had already been taken to their destination. A later report said Miss Miller of Latouche was also aboard.

MANY HAD TICKETS

According to the local office of the company about 50 reservations for the southbound voyage of the SS Aleutian had been sold. Practically all of these have been refunded and tickets purchased at the Pacific Steamship Co. office for transportation south on the Admiral Evans, now in port from the Westward, and which will depart for the south soon after the arrival this evening of the regular passenger train from the Interior.