Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-10-27 | Page 3 | Severe Blizzard Responsible for Heavy Life Loss

SEVERE BLIZZARD RESPONSIBLE FOR HEAVY LIFE LOSS JUNEAU Alaska, Oct. 26. Indicative of the terrific storm -which caused the steamer Princess Sophia to plunge from her rocky ledge on Vanderbilt reef into the waters of Lynri" canal, was the statements state-ments made by officers of the Canadian Pacific steamer Amy, which returned from the scene of the wreck yesterday. The officers said two feet of snow fell in forty hours and a strong- northeast wind then blowing later developed into the blizzard which was responsible for the Sophia's " heavy loss o life. When the Amy left the Sophia, that vessel was resting for about two-thirds of her length on the rocks of the reef, which is four miles west of Sentinel island and half way between Juneau and Skagway. The Sophia was then taking on water. She was surrounded by deep water on both sides, but with only her stern over deep water it was thought there was no danger of the steamer hiding hid-ing off the rocks. The reef was covered, however, at half tide and , the heavy seas had prevented attempts to take off the passengers. The Sophia's only freight cargo is said to have consisted of forty horses. At S o'clock last night the last message mes-sage from Captain Locke of the Sophia was received. Today the government tender ten-der Cedar, which had been standing by, reported that only the Sophia's masts were visible. The Cedar remained In the canal to search for bodies.