The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-21
Our Oregon Correspondence.
ASTORIA, OREGON TERRITORY,
September IL, 1919. {


ASTORIA, OREGON TERRITORY,
September IL, 1919 :
Particulars of the Loss of the Pot. boat Hackstaf,
and Stfertngs of the Crsw and Passengers, &c.
In my last, mentioned that should leave the
next day for Oregon, but did not until Monday,
July 23d We sailed from the bay IN the pilot boat
Hackstah, with twenty-four passengers, and ex-
pected to arrive here in about ten or twelve days,
at the farthest But We were sadly disappointed
1t was blowing heavy when we lett, and increased
TO gale This continued for nine days, with a
very bad sea running, out of all character for the
wind. But the Hackstaff rode like duck, and
though she was wet, we got along with some COM
fort. The only cause for anxiety then, was the
sickness OF Captain White. who, the second day
out, was taken down with fever and severe dlarr-
h9s. He was for some days IN a very low state.
The weather was very thick and foggy. and on the
seventh day out, we turned her head for the land,
hoping, with the coast aboard, we should get out
Of the blowy weather. This gale was from the
n. N. W-the usual course of the winds here for
six months in the year. On the tenth day out, we
made the land but here a calm succeeded, accom-
panied by thick weather, which beggars all de-
scrlption. The sea high as idld in the gale,
with not breath of wind to steady the vessel.
Our situation at that time was about uncomfort-
able as II well could be. We could scarcely stand
on deck, or elsewhere. Our sails were split, the
mast hoops dropped from the sails the reef points
were thrashcd INTO so much tow, and ! expected to
see the masis pitched out of her and, to add to
our mlsiortunes, It was found that our stock of
water would be gone.
On the 9th OF August, we were at the mouth of the
Clamet nver, and sent boat ashore to get supply
OF water but were met by large body of hostile
Indians that II would have been the height OF folly
TO attempt landing. They met us naked, were
painted, and fully armed, and bid us defiance. On
the 7th, we made the mouth Of the Rouge river,
distant about thirty miles north Of the Clamet,
which Wilkes calls by its Indian name on his chart
Here the captain, who was recovering from his
sickness, went ashore In the boat, and on finding
good harbor inside, and plenty of water the bar,
resolved TO run the vessel In, as It would greatly
expedite matters boats being obliged to 90 two
or three miles to get the water
Whether the captain noticed the tide or not,
when sounding the bar, do not know; but after
getting on board, an hour elapsed before getting
under weigh. The tide had fallen one or two feet.
This fact, connected with another-that of mstak-
ing the channel few feet, in crossing the bar
proved fatal to u.s. The vessel struck on the bar,
ard IN ten minutes was piled up on the beach, or
POINT, on which she struck. She drove up very
hard, but did not blge. | expected she would.
We landed our passengers through the surf, and in
one hour and half her fore foot was bare, and she
could be boarded with dry feet. Every effort was
made TO prevent the vessel from working up on the
shore but there was so much on, that we
could not getthe anchors out with the boat though
we came near swapping her two or three times in
The attempt. AS soon as the passengers LETT, the
Indians boarded her, and commenced plllaginc
we passed TO the shore the passengers trunks also
some PORK and Hour. As the vessel had driven up
TO nearly high water mark, il was evident that she
could not be got OIL, except by the regular process
OF launching. There seemed no alternative but to
abandon her This we did, taking with us some
provisions, and such articles of clothing as we
thought we could carry, but not such as we should
nave taken, had We known the country through
winch we had TO travel Our mistake was IN
taxing too much clothing, and loading ourselves
WIN what we had,t In two three days
TO either burn OF, throw away. Our passen.
gers had among them about $50 pounds of gold
dust, which, IN addition to their rifles, was
tains we had to climb are taken into account no
hing but the most absolute necessity could have
induced them TO take it. That necessity was
the want OF food, and safety from the Indians.
While at the wreck the Indians became more
troublesome, and showed their good will by shoot
ing at US from the north side OF the rver; and as
our niles were wet and not In condition for USE it
was oeemed prudent TO evacuate the spot. SO we
crossed The rlver in our boat, which we then aban-
doned, foolisbly. think, and encamped about half
a mile from the wreck Among the passengers
was man who had been in the country before,
ana ne undertook TO pilot US out, but such plotting
wish TO be saved from for all future time We
should have gone up the coast TO the Umpqua or
tlte struck a n. l.. course for IL; but instead Of
tins, We followed this man about II DAYS By this
time, greatly to my qualification and relief he ac-
knowedged himself TO be lost The country Is so
covered with smoke that il is impossible to see
more than the distance Of half mile at any time
This Is caused by the Indians burning the pra,-
mes, which extend TO the mountains, set
ting the forests on fire. My pocket compass.
which bought IN New York, now for the first
time became useful, and did me good service, as
tor many days we were unable to see the sun even
al noon. We struck N. +. course by it, aud
though there was some grumblng at the noun
tains we had to climb and the canons to get down.
every men we travelled was on our course, and so
much gained. This journey across the mountains
IL one that shall not attempt to describe. Their
steepness, sometimes scarcely varied ten degrees
IRON perpendicular, covered with brush OF two
~ hg nth fha ffV.e A..1 4
and the trees OF size that would be incredible in
The States When we wanted water TO drink we
bad TO descend thousand feet or more 10 get il
Then the imposslbility Of packing sufficient guam
NY OF provisions TO last us any length of time |
when we were lucky enough to get them, caused
us TO sufier much with hunger. These, and the |
constant worriment Of the packs on our backs. |
rendered our sufferings about equal 10 any thing
have ever heard or read Of II this had happened |
10 US IN the wInter, instead OF summer we must
have staid where were until sprinr, or made
our way aleng the coast
AT length, on the 9th Of August, being the twen-
tieth day Of our journey, we struck the wagon |
road Of the tmpqua valley. The next day we mel |
tram OF wagons from Oregon, on their way 10
California; When we met tsem we had not the |
fret mouthiul OF anything TO eat, and for some |
days previous spiRnet root aud berries had been |
cur. principal food. They literally SUPPLIED ne |
with food, and some Of US were made onite sck |
by over eating. Here we broke up into small par. |
ties was fortunate enough to procure horse |
ofsome French people who were packing through |
TO California. mounted my animal bare-backed. |
with only string in his mouth for a bride and |
Iosted through the Wimantic valley TO Oregon
City, where arrived on the 9th ct Sept. and afier
remaining there until Capt. White arrived, | came |
down TO this place in three days, IN a canoe, and
am now waiting the arrival Of the brig Forest, 10
20 TO San Francisco.
This trip has been an expensive one 10 me- NOT
that my loss in hard dollars has been so great bat
the prospective profits Of my up and down cargo |
think would have amounted to three or four thou
sand collars. CHARLES +. HUGHEs
nur scx~,-