The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-04-24
Wreck of the Steamship Great
Republic on the Columbia
River Bar.
A CARELESS PILOT THE CAUSE.


Great Republic had been wrecked that morn.
ing on the Columbia bar. During the even
ing the report was fully confirmed, and full
particulars were received in Portland papers
on Monday. From the Orcgonian's dis
patches we clip the accounts following:
ASTORIA, April 2o.-The Great Republic ran
on the sands at precisely 10 \. NJ Saturday.
Having passed through the south channel,
and while on her course inside Of rough wa
ter, headed north west, atlef passing buoy
No. =, and coming to the end OF the course
opposite the foot of sand Island, sne failed TO
make the abrubt turn necessary there, the pi-
lot being unable in the darkness to see the
beacon by which vessels are ordinarily guided.
Capt. Carroll, the commander of the vessel,
said to pilot Dong, who was directing her
course ut the time when the turn should have
been made, "Weurc at the end of this course"
Doig responded, NO we are not; she wants
one minnie more" That minute was fatal
in less than thirty second, her bows touched
the sands, and as her engines were driving
her ahead she ploughed deep in The treach-
erous shoals. The darkness was intense, lind
the tide had been ebbng two hours. Alter Il
few Intellectual struggles to retreat, the YES
sci lay until morning. During the night she
rode easily and was not deemed in special
danger by her officers, as it was confidently
thought that she would float off with the
II
at half tide, heavy swclls from the southwest
commenced to come in, and soon lifted her
stern, which still oated, around to the north
west, presenting IL broad-dc 10 the sea. Each
swell careened her over and drove her higher
on the sands. On recediug of each swell the
weight Of her immense hull, machinery and
cargo. drove her deeper into the sands. At
this time the creakng of her over-straned
timhers, and grinding of her keel in the en-
quilting shoals, be%gars description. Her
passengers describe it as resembling the up
roar.ous din of cattle
The position of the vessel could be seen
from TIL, city, II miles distant, and her dan
gerous situation quickly infcrred. By6o'clock
many glasses were levelcd at the stranded
vessel, and AT $40 Capt. George Flavcl started
with the tug Brcnham to her assistance. The
tugs Columbia, Astoria, Candy and others
followed soon after.
At > o'clock the passengers began to dis
embark into the life boats, manned by volun-
tcers. and were rowed 10 the tugs i'll safety.
While all The life boats did their best, the dis
ciplile Of those from the Shuhrick was no
ticcahlc, and their service consequently more
effective. In order TO avoid any possible ac-
cidcnt. no baggage was allowed 10 be taken
into the boats, and the passcnTcr escaped
with only the clothing they Wore. The dis
embarkalion WAS carefully directed by Capt.
Carroll in person, and was without accident
or disorder By 6 o'clock all persons. except
the officers and crew and number of gentle
men who preferred to remain with valuable
baggage had been removed To the attending
vessels. The Shubrick then started for this
city with the last of the passengers, all The
tugs living of the island to he in readiness al
high tide, II 40, to attempt rescue of the
vessel. At o'clock a southwest gale set in,
rendering it impossible for The tugs to get
line. aboard the stranded vessel, making fu-
| fiOus the heating waves, and sealing her
doom. The breakers dasiing ovcrsoon threw