The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-07-18


The crowd followed the carriages.
cheering and throwing flowers all the
way to Downing street.
LOSS Of THE SHIP WESTERN
SHORE.
A NOBLE VESSEL WRECKED ON DUYBCRY
REEF-No LIVES LOsT-THE SHIP
AND CARGO PROBABLY A TOTAL
LOSS.
The ship Western Shore. Captain
Hotchkiss, left Seattle, July Cd, for
this port, with 2.040 tons of coal. for
the Seattle Coal & Transportation Com.
pany. All went well until approach
ing the entrance to this harbor. The
ship passed point Reyes late on the
evening of the 9th inst, and course
was shaped from this point for the
entrance The Farallone light was visi-
BILE at times, and when the Captain
thought he had run his distance down,
and also, as is stated, got the bearings
on the Farallones at southwest, he kept
away to the northeast, and while On
this course. the unfortunate ship struck
on Duxbury Reef, about eight miles
north of the Heads. 1t is stated that
she was going fully ten knots when she
struck, and the lookout ON the forecastle
states that, when she hit. a large piece
of her fore-foo was thrown fully forty
feet. 1t is miracle that the ship did
not split wide open; yet, it was three
hours after she struck before she COM
menced to make any water, showing
that she was remarkably strong ship.
There are several theories in connection
with the loss of this vessel. One is
that, there being very strong current
to the northward, the ship was set
considerably out of her course An
other is that the Captain, owing to a
long experience. got careless, and did
not adopt sufficient precautions as he
should have done Oh such a foggy
night. Others cannot comprehend how
any one. able to see either Point Reyes
or Fsrallone Light, could lose vessel
on q reef so we'll known and dangerous
as Duxbury Reef, in fine commanding
breeze. There is certainly something
remarkable about the affair that needs
investigating, and we hope. for the
benefit of all concerned, that sufficient
investigation will be made to explain
the loss of one of our finest vessels.
The Western Shore was built some
four years ago. at Coos Bay, by Simp-
son Bros, and was dispatched by them
to Liverpool, in charge of Capt. Nc.
Allep, with cargo of wheat. making a
good passage over of 1903 days, and re-
turning in ITO. Her next trip from
Astoria to Liverpool was made in lOI
days-said to be the best on record.
On her return to this port she was put
in the Seattle coal trade, in which she
has continued ever since. Many will
remember her narrow escape on the
Bar last Winter, when Capt. Blinu, her
commander, was killed. She was saved
then, after the almost superhuman ex-
ertions Of San Francisco tugs Capt.
Plummer next took charge, and has
been in command up to the present
trip, when Capt Hotchkiss, well known
as master of the Rebecca. Speedwell,
Scotland, Ellen Monroe, and Whistler,
was appointed to her. and as it proved,
his first trip was his last in as fine ship
as ever foated. The Shore originally
cost $4,000, and just previous to the
disaster was valued by her owners,
Simpson Bros, Capt McAllep and Mr..
Thornquist, at $4,000. She was in
sured as follows: Californis, $4,000 !;
Firemsn's Fund, $4,000; State Invest
ment. $4,000; Commercial, $4,000; and
Swiss Lloyds, $4,000. Total. 1927 900.
The coal, valued in this market at
81 80 ton, or $9lS0. was not insured,
and will be q severe loss, as there is
none in the market. When the crew
left the ship, yesterday morning, the
vessel was lying head on, just as she
struck, with the hull completely under
water. The spars, with sails set. were
still standing, and there is no possibility
of saving either vessel or cargo. The
spars and sails and rigging are about
all that may be saved. When the
Great Republic passed yesterday after
noen she lay in the same position. with
a heavy list to port. 1t is a very for
tunate thing that no lives were lost, all
hands arriving safely in the ships boats
in tow of the Wizard, which was dis
patched TO the wreck Immediately on
receipt of the intelligence at the Ex-
change. So ends the brief career of
noble ship. She is to be sold at auc.
ton to-day. at the Merchants Ex-
change, for the benefit of all concerned.
Several vessels have been lost, or
have struck on this reef, the most nota-
BILE being the steamer S. s. Lewis,
many years ago. The Prince Alfred
also struck on it, and was beached in.
side. The steamer Empire also struck
on it, and was badly damaged, while
several sailing vessels have struck at
various times II is very dangerous
point for mariners as there is . strong
carrent running all the year round,
which takes vessel right on TO it. 1t
is especially dreaded during the period
OF fog and Gains, when it has been
found impossible to keep vessels out of
the set, except by anchoring. Within
the past month, large English ship
barely escaped loss on the reef by
lucky breeze. her stern being in but
five fathoms of water when she COM
menced to gather way, after being
anchored in the most dangerous posi-
ton just clear of it for over eight hours.
$ +. Alta.