Disasters and California Petroleum
Awful disasters on land and sea have been recorded during the last few weeks, the greatest among which is the loss of the steamer Valencia in British waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland; the loss of life reaches about one hundred forty. For many hours many clung to the ship fast on the rocks with the waves breaking over her, hoping to be rescued, but the sea was so rough rescue seemed impossible. A despatch from Panama, February 2, reports that the city of Buena Ventura, in Colombia, was destroyed January 31, by a tidal wave. "For California" for December, published by the California Promotion Committee, gives especial attention to the oil industry in California. It discusses the early and later history of petroleum, the uses of petroleum and products for production of power, petroleum as fuel on locomotives and steamships, manufacturing uses of asphaltum, and California's production of petroleum. The number is of great interest, especially in showing one of the products of the great Golden State.