Oscar Johnson
Captain Oscar Johnson reportedly made no effort to save his own life and remained on the ship until it was smashed into the sea killing all on board. The San Francisco Call on January 26th reported, “Survivors of the wreck of the steamship Valencia who were picked up from a life raft by the steamer City of Topeka are of the opinion that Captain O.M. Johnson, master of the Valencia, made no effort to save his own life, even were a chance presented. According to their story Captain Johnson was heartbroken over the great loss of life attending the loss of the Valencia. With tense, drawn face, Captain Johnson, clinging to the rigging with the passengers, thought only of those with him and time and again prayed for assistance. “My God, send relief to my passengers,” Captain Johnson was heard moaning yesterday morning just before the life raft let the steamer. Passengers and crew during the night prior to the departure of the life rafts, according to those saved, begged Captain Johnson to place a lifebelt about his waist. This he persistently refused to do. In spite of the fact that those near him and who still thought of him in a kindly light, begged of him to think of his family and friends. Captain Johnson would not do a single thing to help his condition.”