Oakland Ferry-Boat Disaster.
THE fog on San Francisco Bay February 18, 19, is said to have been the most dense of any for years. On the 19th the steamer El Capitan left the San Francisco wharf at 3:30 P. M., with about 150 passengers, and collided with the Alameda, which was on her trip from Oakland with between 300 and 400 passengers. The Alameda struck El Capitan, about midway between the bow and wheel house, opening a breach over twenty feet in length. At first the boats remained locked together, during which time the majority of the passengers were taken to the Alameda. In about fifteen minutes after they drifted apart El Capitan sank to her upper deck, and floated away in the tide; the buoyancy of her woodwork prevented her entirely sinking. The Alameda was also considerably injured in the bow. Had this occurred two hours later in the day, at which time the boats are always crowded, the loss of life would doubtless have been great. As it was, nearly fifty were picked up from the water, most of whom had on life preservers, and were floating securely if not comfortably. By this disaster it is clearly shown that there is not all the security for life which there should be on such an important thoroughfare. The system of signals is defective and inefficient. This will doubtless now be remedied. No blame seems to be attached to the officers; but it remains to be investigated by the United States authorities.