The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-02-13
COOS BAY BAR AND IT'S DEAD.

(0NbS bA BAH AMI
A LEAF FROM THE LoG-BOoK OF - ROVER.
During my travels on the Northwest
Coast I visited Coos Bay in the fall OF
1878. The bay is beautifully situated
body of water, supplied by waters flow
ing from both branches of Coos River
Isthmus and South sloughs and few
minor branches and empties into the
ocean. On the right, as you ccme up
the Bay, after passing South Slough, is
Empire City, picturesque little village
built upon a beach overlooking the sea.
Here I concluded to Sc lay over trip"
and see the sights. Accordingly I en-
gagged board at the Lockhart Hotel, and
was soon ensconced in comfortable
room, where, unlike many an other 'sea
side hotel" one was made to feel per-
fectly at home. Being stranger, for
q time kept secluded, but in town like
Empire one need not remain long ere he
finds congenial spirits, and it was so IN
my case I soon made the acquaintance
Of that ubiquitous and ever-entertalning
parsonage, the Oldest inhabitant, and
from him learned many interesting incl
dents of the early settlement of this por-
ton of Oregon. He told many weird le-
gends of Indian massacres, hardshlps
and privations endured by the pioneers,
and hair breadth escapes of hardy sailors
who ''went down to the sea in ships,
and of the noble pioneer women, who
walked side by side with the husbands OF
of their choice in the dark and dreary
hours when each twig contained foe and
none were safe from the Indians that
roamed the forests.
He related all this to me, and after
few days acquaintance invited me to take
a sail with him and visit some points OF
interest, of which offer I gladly availed
myself.
Coos Bay has many attractions, but the
bar for me had the most charm. Why it
it was so can only be explained by the
fact that, being a" tar was always
restless when not within the roar of the
briny deep.
"Here," said he, as We reached the
North spit, sis the burial place of many
brave hearts. And pointing to the angry
waters, said 'f Several years ago &C ka-
nim' went over there and thirteen In
dians met their death while endeavoring
to reach the outer beach of Point Arago,
and many others have gone down meath
the billows of this bar"
The following evening, in company
with 6 Uncle Dave," I went to North
Bend, and there fell in with jovial crowd
of sailors and mill men, among whom
were Capt Elliott, of the Emma Augusta
and Capt. McAllep, of the Orient, two as
fine gentlemen and true seamen as [ have
ever met. Besides these two persons were
Capt James MCGEE, of the tug Escort,
and Capt. James Hill, of the tug G. J.
Brennan. During the evening, the con
versation turned on the bar, and tale after
tale relating to it's treachery was told.
Capt. Elliott stated that he believed he
could save himself if washed overheard
while crossing the bar, buthow little did
he dream that ere forty-eight hours had
passed he would be numbered among
the g dead of Coos Bay Bar
Two days after the evenings converse
tion, the Emma Augusta was ready for
sea, and it being Sunday. Capt. Hill de-
cided to tow her out over the bar. A
crowd of seafaring men were on the dock
when the tug started for the lower bay,
where the vessel lay at anchor, and sew
@. j. BRENNAN for trip over the bar,
among whom was the writer. Having
taken the Emma Augusta in tow, we pro-
ceened towards the bar, which was any
thing but smooth. Gradually drawing
nearer we could see the heavy swells tum-
BILE in and also break clear across, there
being only small space that seemed at
all possible to pass. Capt. Elliott stood
by the side of Capt. Hill, near the tsman-
hold d''-the protection placed around the
wheel to more safely protect the '.man at
the wheeP'-and appeared to be in an un-
usually fine frame of mind at the idea of
being on his way to San Francisco to
spend the holidays, and many pleasant
joke went round. As we neared the bar
l saw The lynx eye of Capt. Hill looking
steadily ahead, and having been used to
the manner assumed by Captains and
Mates in times when courage and deter
mlnatlon were most demanded, soon per-
ceived that behind this resolute exterior
there was something which made him
hesitate ere going too far in case s turn
back became necessary.
When off the point of North Spit
steam was slackened and the Captain
said: The bar is very rough this morn
ing for the Brennan; what do you think,
Capt. Elliott; can we make it %
'sOh, yes" replied Capt Elliott. I have
crossed out on rougher bar many a
time. What do you think %
All right" said Capt. Jim. And away
we went. We had passed over the worst
without accident, and had begun to
UTGdtu6 ealSy-IOf Glef0 Is nOtQluR so
trying even to those accustomed to "bar
work" as going over an angry bar
where each breaker threatens to engulf
the boat and bring death to all on board
when Immediately in front of the boat
a huge breaker began to comb,
and before we could prepare ourselves
for the shock broke with tremendous
fury over the Brenham, sweeping over
board Capt. Elliott and the Mate of the
tug, named Smith.
Every effort was made to save them,
but in vain. Poor Elliot was the first to
succurnb, and it is the impression that he
was hurt by striking the rail of the boat
when he fell into the sea. Smith was
good swimmer, and for time it looked
as If he would reach the beach, but it
was not SO ordained, and he sank beneath
the waves, and his spirit soon followed
Capt. E1iott's.
The beach for weeks following was