Historic Shipwreck Profile: Additional Information on Wreck Event

Source: Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, CA), 2 Oct 1924, p. 1, cols. 3-5.
Courtesy of California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside.

Transcription:

Steamer La Feliz Pounding To Pieces; Kind Fate And Heroic Acts Save Twelve From Perishing

With the advent of low tide at six o'clock this morning the Linden Steamship company steamer La Feliz, which went on the Santa Cruz rocks at a point one-half mile above Swanton beach at nine o'clock last night, was beached high and dry, with one side wholly gone and most of its bottom torn away. Eleven of its crew of twelve men, all of whom were saved at one o’clock last night by means of a breeches buoy, were on hand at the scene of the disaster endeavoring to salvage whatever of the cargo and personal belongings was still usable. Oil smirched the breakers and entire shore line, and sardines, which made up the cargo of the vessel, were everywhere in evidence, among the seaweed and rocks.

It was at nine o'clock last night when many residents were aroused to curiosity by the continued blowing of a shrill whistle, apparently at a point up the coast line in the direction of Wilder's ranch. Inquiry in every possible direction could bring no possible explanation of the unusual noise. Deputy Sheriff George Dennett, accompanied in his machine by a News representative, made diligent inquiry along the local waterfront. Meeting with no success here the two returned to the fire house, where an incoherent phone message, stating that "this is Mrs. Moore and you had better come quick; they are climbing the masts," had just been received. Thinking that the call may have been sent from the museum at Ocean Cliffs, Dennett and the newspaperman, accompanied by Dewey Johnson on his motorcycle, journeyed to the museum on another fruitless search.

Just as the firehouse was reached on the second return journey, a phone message was received from Charles Moore, residing on the coast road next to the Walti slaughterhouse, who gave the exact location of the wrecked vessel.  Officers Steiner, Hoover, and Johnson immediately responded, as did Deputy Sheriff Dennett and his party. The searchers arrived at the location of the wreck, which was at a point directly west of the Walti slaughter house, at eleven p. m., two hours after starting on their hunt. Charles Moore, who heard the boat's whistle and was the first to discover the wreck, was already on the cliff, as was Prohibition Officer Tomkins and a companion, who had also traced the sound of the whistling.

The stranded vessel was then approximately 200 feet from shore, lying on its side, with terrific breakers sweeping its deck. Its crew was huddled on the topmost side, waving their one remaining lighted lantern. In this position nothing could be done from shore to aid the boat. The surf was one of the roughest of the season and the distance from shore prevented the throwing of a line to the vessel. Those on shore could occasionally understand the cries of the crew, the latter however, apparently hearing what was said from shore without much difficulty.

“Help, for God’s sake,” was cried time after time, reaching those on shore.

"We are getting help. It's on the way. Hold out a while longer." Thus would the shore watchers reassuringly reply.

Then groans and more yells would be heard from the boat.

Examination of the shore line revealed that a life boat, upside down, had washed ashore. On account of a sheer drop of 125 feet from the cliff to the rocks below at this point the early arrivals could not reach the water line to ascertain if anyone had attempted to land in the overturned boat.

After satisfying themselves that nothing could be done to aid periled crew with facilities at hand, the majority of those on the cliff returned to town for aid. A San Francisco news service, on being apprised of the disaster, notified the coast guard service who dispatched to this city a life saving crew, and a gun for the shooting of a life line. It was with heavy hearts and much reluctance that the watchers left the huddled group of terrified sailors, left alone on their ship, as they set out for additional assistance. Odds were all against the marooned men and it appeared as if nothing but a miracle could save them.

Sheriff Trafton was notified, as was Under Sheriff Rountree and all night officers of the police and fire department, who quickly appeared at the scene of the wreck. Ropes were procured and Sheriff Trafton brought with him a powerful searchlight.

On returning to the wreck the party found that an unusually high swell had, in the meantime, washed the La Feliz from the first reef on which it had been impaled and had carried it to within less than 100 feet from shore. At this juncture, Joe Alvarez, well known local young man and employe of the Walti slaughterhouse, succeeded in getting a heavily weighted fishing throw-line aboard the boat, after which, with the aid of those who had been able to reach the lower rocks by means of ropes, a breeches buoy was rigged from the shore to the ship.

Then, one by one, the last to come being Captain Eliason, the crew was transported over the rope to the rocks, where many were mercilessly, buffeted about by the strong breakers before reaching the rescuers. Occasionally a man would dip below the water as a swell would appear and the boat would list shoreward.

Aleck Lopez, first assistant engineer, who was asleep at the time the boat hit the rocks, sustained a broken arm and many severe bruises and lacerations. In being brought to the cliff Lopez had to be tied to the rope by his comrades.

"My God, it was terrible," the engineer stammered as he huddled near a fire built by the rescuers on the cliff. We were all but gone. That sea. – she’s awful. I want to jump in ocean; my pain so terrible, but the other men hold me.” Lopez was taken to Hanly sanitarium, where he was put under the care of Dr. A.F. Cowden.

The other members of the crew were driven to Santa Cruz by the sheriff and other officers, where sleeping accommodates were provided for them.