The Valencia Shipwreck on the West Coast TrailJoseph McCaffrey Valencia Survivor

The Valencia Disaster

 Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail1. The Valencia Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail2. The Voyage Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail3. The Boats Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail4. The McCarthy Boat Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail5. The Bunker Party Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail6. On the Valencia Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail7. The Rafts Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail8. The Turret Raft Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail9. The Rescue Ships Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail10. The Aftermath Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail11. The Survivors Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail12. The Lost 

The West Coast Trail

Shipwreck on the West Coast TrailPrologue Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail1: The West Coast Trail Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail2: When to Hike & Fees Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail3: Trailheads Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail4: Getting There Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail5: Considerations Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail6: Campsites Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail7: Shipwrecks Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail8: Routes Shipwreck on the West Coast Trail9: Sights & Highlights

Joseph McCaffrey Valencia Survivor

 

Joseph McCaffrey was a passenger on the Valencia who survived on the Topeka Raft  Daily Colonist 13 Feb p6: J. McCaffrey, was questioned at the Valencia inquiry.  He said that when he came on deck there seemed to be a panic and no person had control of anyone.  He stated that none of the officers gave him any instructions but on the first night he had seen them trying to make the passengers comfortable.  He went on deck with a life preserver and was told by an officer that there was no need of them, but later he told him to put it on again.  He saw two boats launched and smashed up.  It was dark when he came on deck and there were quite a few people on deck.  He did not try to get in a boat, and did not see any officers.  Could not say who gave orders to let go.  No.1 boat was practically gone when he came on deck and he saw the second boat go down but could not say if there were any officers in charge or not.  He had heard some passengers say that no orders had been given.  He said there were no orders given and suggested that the officers should have been at their posts.  He said that when he came on deck there seemed to be a panic and no person had control of anyone.  He stated that none of the officers gave him any instructions but on the first night he had seen them trying to make the passengers comfortable.  When the steamers Queen, Salvor and Czar came in sight he thought that it would be a matter of only a short time before all were rescued.  He thought the Czar might have come within 200 yards of the ship at the outside and drifted a raft down the vessel.  McCaffrey went on the second raft with 18 people, he found out later it was licensed to hold 18 persons.  They had considerable difficulty in getting away from the ship but after they reached the bow of the Valencia it was much easier.  He was pretty well done up when taken on board the Topeka.