The Tragic Wreck of the Bark Leonora

The details of the wreck of the Chilean bark Leonora near the Quillayute River were received tonight from Consul Macready, who returned from the scene on the tug Discovery. The Leonora was commanded by Capt. P. Jensen, not Meyer, as previously reported. He and his wife were drowned. The bark was caught in the weather storm which was described by incoming crews as the severest on the coast in many years. The captain lost his head and was drifted ashore. The lookout reported a vessel on the weather bow, which was afterward found to be a rock. The helm was thrown hard down, and a moment later she struck the rocky shore. Mate Stuckfleth and the surviving seamen reported that Capt. Jensen appeared to lose his self-possession. His wife screamed and ran to the mate for protection, claiming her husband wanted to throw her overboard. For a few minutes the utmost confusion reigned. Tremendous seas were breaking over the ship, the wind was whistling through the rigging, and the side of the vessel was slowly grinding to pieces on the rocks. The captain forcibly took his wife from the mate and leaped overboard. The receding sea dashed them against the side of the vessel, killing both instantly. The captain's intestines were dashed out and the body torn to pieces. The cook, carpenter and one sailor became frightened and followed the master. The sailor was the only one of the three to reach the beach alive. Daylight found the crew, all of whom were barefooted and with very little clothing, huddled on the beach at Point Johnson. The captain's wife's body was rescued from the surf and wrapped in the Chilean flag which came ashore, and left on the beach untombed.