Whitehorse, July 9. - Word was received here today that the steamer Casca, crack passenger ship of the British Yukon Navigation Co. fleet, struck the old wreck of the steamer Dawson in Rink Rapids about noon today and sank very rapidly about 500 feet below the Rapids.
The passengers and crew on the vessel were quickly taken to shore in the life boats, a temporary camp being erected for their comfort and convenience.
The vessel sank so rapidly that all efforts to beach the ship proved futile and the water is reported to be three and a half feet above the main deck.
The White Pass Fairchild plane, with Pilots Wasson and Rice at the controls, left immediately word was received of the disaster, and will convey the passengers to their respective destinations by plane, thus saving them a great deal of inconvenience.
Late reports state that the vessel can be raised and salvaged as she is
not broken up or twisted, a large hole in the hull being the only material damage known.
Coming right after the loss of the steamer Klondike a month ago, the
disaster may prove a considerable setback to the company's operation for the season. It is fortunate indeed that the vessel is not a total loss.
Passengers aboard were, for Dawson, Rev. Canon and Mrs. Vale, Rev. Gordon Cross, Rev; H. C. M. Grant, Rev. A. R. Parsons, Mrs. W. Vey, Mrs. Geo. Mellor, Dr. DeWitt Wilcox and Mrs. Wilcox, and Miss Margaret Flynn; for Mayo: Mrs. W. Sime, Richard Irving,
P. Schlick, Steve Slett and F. Schryner.
FLASH - Dawson, July 10, 11:00 a.m. (Special to the Star) - Following is a telegraphic communication received today from Rev. Gordon Cross, who was a passenger on the foundered ship.
The White Pass plane, piloted by Everett Wasson, arrived at 8:00 p.m. in Dawson last night with seven of the passengers from the wrecked vessel, and with the remaining two for Dawson at 9:a.m. today.
The Casca hit the wreck of the old steamer Dawson, which foundered in
Rink Rapids several years ago. The vessel sank within a few minutes in seven feet of water on a rocky bottom.
Capt. Malcolm Campbell displayed great presence of mind and immediately after the impact swung the boat upstream.
The Second Engineer of the Casca, trapped in the engine room flooded by
five feet of water, was saved by the crew chopping a hole through the floor of the smoking saloon.
Three or four sacks of mail floated downstream and the bow was awash as the officers and crew handied the situation wonderfully.
There was no panic and no one was injured. Everything possible was done
for the comfort and safety of the passengers.
