The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-11-19
NOTES OF THE WRECK.

The treasure lost on the "Pacihc" was
insured in the Ocean Marine, Indemnl-
ty, Union & Royal Exchange Insurance
Companies of London. The amount
was over $4,000.
Telegraphic inquiries were received
in Victoria from Ottawa and other parts
of Canada, California and nearly all the
Eastern States, and from England and
Ireland, as to the fate of persons sup
posed to be on board the Pacific"
Captain Parsons was on board the
"Prince Albert" when she was wrecked;
was on board the "Los Angeles" when
she broke her shaft; purchased tickets
for San Francisco by the steamer "Da-
kota," but was unable to get away in
her; sailed in the Pacific" and is lost
with all his family.
A dispatch from Memphis, Tennessee,
dated November II, says: Captain JEFF.
d. Howell, commander of the steam
ship Pacific" lost a few days ago on
the Oregon coast, was a brother of Mrs.
Jefferson Davis, of this city. He was a
native of Natchez, Mississippi, lived at
New Orleans several years, and served
as midshipman under the Confederate
flag, under Admiral Semmes. Some
months since he was promoted to the
command of the "Pacific" for gallantry
displayed in rescuing people during a
violent storm.
The following is from the memoranda
of the ship "Orpheus," the vessel that
collided with the "Pacifc," as furnished
by Captain Sawyer, of the fisst-named
vessel, which afterward became a total
wreck: At $50 light reported on port
bow. The second mate in charge of the
deck altered her course to n. w. by W.,
and brought the light on starboard bow.
1 went on deck and found a steamer
masthead light, but could see no col
Ored lights, but saw several saloon
lights. kept the light on starboard
bow, and brought the ship up to w. s.
! W., yards square and sails aback. The
second mate thought he could see red
light, but l could not, and told the mate
at the wheel to hard up, and before she
paid off two points countermanded the
order, and had the wheel put hard
down. In about two or three minutes
the steamer, then about At points on the
starboard bow, blew her whistle, and in
! half a minute afterwards she struck us
on the starboard fore channels, carry
ing away the fore topgallant and back
stay and mast, breaking in our rail for
about 40 feet, splitting the covering
board and planksbear, splitting planks
from plankshear to the copper, and
stAving four planks in through the tim
bers; also carrying away all the star
board braces, main topgallant back
stays, miZzen topmast and topgallant
back stays and pumpkin. I hailed the
steamer and asked her to lay by and
send me boat, for thought my ship
was sinking. After sounding the pumps,
etc., I commenced to shorten sail and
heave the ship to with head to the s.
| w. The steamer hailed me three times,
| but I could not make out what she said.
At midnight had the ship under stay
1 sails, and reefed spanker, heading from
S. S. w. to S. W., and drifting to the
! w. n. w. about two knots. 1t then
was blowing very hard from S. E., and
bad sea getting up.
Friday, November 5.-Blowing heavy
from the S. E., and very bad sea; al
noon the wind moderating and cantinG
to the west; at P. NJ. wind west; wore
ship to the southwark, and saw the land
bearing n. n. E.; took it to be Cape
Flattery; saw q sail standing toward it
at saw the light and supposed it to be
Flattery light; gave orders to the mate
to keep five miles off; got the light tC
bear south, and then steered east; at
A. NJ. was on deck, the light then bear
ing east and west; steered east; at
o'clock was called and told she was in
mid channel and had lost sight Of the
light; at the ship struck on reef, anC
ran hard and fast on the rocks, going
about five knots at the time; found The
ship filling fast, and got sails off he
and the people out of the ship.