The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-03-26
LOriginal for the DEMocRAT.l
"REMINISCENCES OF ALASKA.

On the 25th day Of September,
1867, the John Z. Stephens steamed
slowly out Of the harbor Of San Fran
cisco, bearing two Captains Of .. S.
troops, large number Of civilian
employees, with theusual parapherna-
liza incident to sending away Of an
armed force upon distant service,
partly consisting Of thirty-six head
Of mules, one or two horses. q few
head of beef cattle with the necessa-
ny forage, and a large amount Of
government stores, all destined for
the then almost unknown port of
Sitka or New Archangel, and under
the command Of Byt. Major General
jeff. G. Davis, U. S. A.
CAPTAIN wHITFoRD.
Our passage to Esquimalt in Brit
ish Columbia was without incident.
Capt. Dali, of the Steveras, here en-
ployed a very weather-beaten looking
old cuss as pilot, who claimed to be
able to steer ship, as he forcibly
expressed it, ''from Lell to Jerico, 4"
and knew every foot Of the way to
Sitka as we'll as the man who made
it. He reioiced in the cognomen Of
"Captain' Whitford, (and BY the
way, is the veritable swearing Cap
tain with whom Major Berry took his
famous voyage in the Rose). His
first performance as pilot on board
the Stevens was a success; we were
compelled to go to Nanairno, B. o.,
for coal, and Captain" Whitford
brought the steamer into that harbor
in fine style, landing us right along
side Of the town, coming TO anchor
SO close to shore, in five fathoms OF
water, that persons could walk from
the ship to shore on plank. Had
1.-THE water remained stationary and
the weather calm all would have beer
we'll. Whitford's tide was taken al
the flood, but led to sad misfortune
| the water swiftly receded at the turn
ing Of the tide, as is always the case
in the gulf Of Georgia. Our gallant
ship soon struck bottom, and listec
over until she was. nearly on hel
beam ends, and considerable alarm
was felt by those on board for the
safety Of the ship. Capt Dali, who
had been off interviewing the factor
Of the coal company, coming OF
} board, took in the situation at
glance and in stentorian tones com
manded that the pilot be sent to hin
forthwith Upon his appearance on
Captain ironically complimente(
-Whitford on his skill, telling hin
that he was a splendid specimen Of
"dry land sailor, and casually re
! marking that he might have sens
!. enough to steer his grandmother
wash-tub across a duck pond. Bu
he, Dali; questioned it most damn
ably, and that his services as pile
were no longer required on boardtn
tSteuens. Whit said nothing in ropll,
until, with the agility Of q cat, b
had skinned down the vessels sid
and waded ashore through the muc
!. disdaining the use Of the ships gan{
way. when he turned towards CaT
tain Dali and hurled such withel
ing volley of curses at him that h
/ was glad to retreat to his cabin.
A number Of officers and two {
three ladies witnessed the Who'll
scene from the vessels deck, and
course enjoyed it hugely. AS Da
disappeared, Whit. paid ashis respect
: to the admiring audience BY court'
ously touching his seal-skin cap an
breaking out into merry song, u
/. refrain Of which was something iiE
this: