Passengers from S.S. "Mariposa" aboard the S.S. "Dispatch", October 8, 1915

David Nicoll

Striking a rock near Bella Bella, British Columbia, the Mariposa issued a distress call as its 83 passengers, baggage, fruit and mail were lowered in lifeboats. The steamer Dispatch responded and took on the Mariposa's passengers.

From The Daily Progressive Miner, 10/9/1915
"Mariposa' is Lying on Beach Struck Bottom When About Fifty Feet From Shore
WILL BE SUBMERGED AT HIGH TIDE
A Passenger Gives an Impartial Account of the Accident
One of the residents of Ketchikan and a passenger on the ill-fated Mariposa that struck a rock yesterday morning near Bella Balla, B. C. has given the story of the accident, which, in substance is as follows:
Yesterday morning at the hour of 4:45 a.m. as the boat was apparently on its usual run, the boat came to a sudden stop and many were thrown out of their births. In no time every body was up, yet there was very little excitement. It was daylight and the weather was perfectly clear. The captain himself was not on duty, pilot Wall was at the wheel.
It was not for nearly an hour before the boats were ordered lowered. But as soon as it commenced to list, having by that time taken considerable water, the boats were lowered and without any excitement, the eighty three passengers were safely taken ashore, some fifty feet distant, and landed on the beach where they proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as convenience permitted. Fruits, hand baggage and the first class mail were taken ashore.
Signals of distress were sent immediately and answered by the steamer Despatch. of the Border Line Transportation Co., and which took aboard every passenger. A short time later, the fishing schooner Star, bound for Seattle, came and took the crew of the Mariposa aboard and proceeded on her way.
The Mariposa apparently was badly damaged, yet it seems to be resting on pretty even ground, and close to shore. Her cargo which consisted mostly of materials for the government railroad at Anchorage, will be submerged at high tide.
The passenger who gave the above report of the accident said that he desires to make a special mention of the treatment accorded the passengers by Captain Bruhn, of the steamer Despatch. From the captain down to the deck hands, the passengers were royally treated.
The men passengers on the Despatch as well as the ladies were equally kind. The men giving their berths to the unfortunate passengers of the Mariposa and together with the new men passengers made their quarters in the steerage or anywhere they could find rooms.
The names of the passengers aboard the Mariposa at the time of the accident follows:
E. Ryan, August Smith, J. P. Monb, Wm. H. Gray, L. Sholseth. F. A John-on, W. C. Bouche, J. H. McKinzie, Mrs. P. O. Sundberg, Mrs. M. Bergstrom. Mrs. Alvina Schink, Mrs. Chas. Bolhisen and baby, Mrs. O. P. Norgren, W. A. Bryant, L. L. Navarre, Mrs. E. L. Whitemore, Louis L. Johnston, and Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. B. Smith, H. Smith, Mrs. Flyqnn, Mrs. F. McNeil, Mrs. A. Spear, Matt Conley, Mrs.Tracy, E. A. Barn, A. Colter, E. Bruff, Chas. Simenstad, Mrs. A. McKinzie, Geo. Osborne, J. G. Galvin, Mrs. J. S. Wainwright, Mrs. H. Stoughton and baby, V. F. Fischer, T. S. Comeau, G. S. Stevenson, R. W. Roberts, T.
Mac Connell, Wm. Glendenning, Howard Witer, Gust. Moorgan, G. AlIen, Mrs. J. M. Onsby and baby, Cora McQuinn, Miss Flora Culberton, C. F. Leeds, Wm. B. Day, Mrs. G. E. Miliken, E. Holmberg, Ray Kaplan, Mrs. Mary Kaplan and babies, Gladys Nasstrom, Mrs. W. Nasstro and baby, Mrs. C. J. Harlow, Miss L. Brinkley, Miss Luboa Sitstoff Mrs. C. Burke, Rev. D. A. Hatevisky, Mrs. D. A. Hatovitsky and child, Mrs. G. Krumbiegel, Jas. Giddis, I. Crawford, Deming Wheeler, Ed. F. Cashel, N. Ninnis, Leonard Bury, G. E. Chamberlain, Cora McVein. Miss C. Zuber, Joe Oliver.
The Crew of Mrs. Weston, Stewardess; Mr. Gerstman, 2nd steward; Jim Smith, Joe Beltram, A. Cottingham, A. Madrid, J. Fox, Mr. Brew, W. Harris, purser; Mr. Long, freight clerk, John Thwaites mail clerk
Captain Sinmon Bruhn of the Border Line Transportation Co. 's. steamer Despatch, reports that they picked up the Mariposa's wireless call for help at 4:30 yesterday morning and headed for her at all possible speed. The Despatch arrived at the wreck at 8:30 and found the passengers all safely on the beach where they were picked up and transferred to the Despatch and made as comfortable as the limited accommodations would permit.
Captain Bruhn said that they left the scene of the wreck about 10 o'clock; at that time the tide was still coming in and the Mariposa, was hard and fast on the rock with a big list to starboard. He expressed his confidence in the wrecking company being able to save her as she lies in a sheltered place and no damage of being pounded by the sea.
Special mention was made of Henry Jensen, wireless operator of the Deapatch and Mr. Wiltse, of the Mariposa, who both helped to their utmost.
AN ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT
Purser Harris when interviewed was very busy arranging for the local care of his passengers, pending the arrival of the Admiral Evans and Jefferson from the south. He re ported that it was a little hazy at the time the Mariposa struck and that the pilot had evidently gotten a little out of his course in making the turn. He stated further that arrangements had been made for all of the passengers to continue their voyage north on the Admiral Evans, Monday morning, except those bound for Skagway. They will be transferred to the Jefferson Tuesday morning."

Ketchikan Museums: Tongass Historical Society Collection, THS 68.10.4.67