Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-20
The Adultery Case-Presidenf;al Prefer
ences-Teiegraph Line Down.
BRITISH COLUMBIA.
The Steamship California - Saved from
Destruction by Almost a Miracle =
Rough Experience.

The Steamship California - Saved from
Destruction by Almost Miracle :
Rough Experience.
VICTORIA, February 17th.-The anxiety
felt for the safety of the steamship California,
bound from Portland for Fort Wrangel and
Sitka via this port, was terminated this morn
| ing when it was announced that she had ar
rived off the mouth Of the harbor in disabled
condition. She left Portland last Wednesday
morning at half-past o'clock, having on
board $50 tons of freight, principally flour,
for the Victoria merchants, and about lbs
tons of assorted merchandise for Nanaimo
and the northern ports. The weather as she
passed down the river was fine, and at 5
o'clock on Wednesday afternoon she arrived
at Astoria. Half an hour later she steamed
out for the bar, which she started to cross at
) p NJ, the weather indications still being
favorable All went well until she reached
the second buoy in the north channel, when
the sky became overcast and light breeze
from the southwest sprung up, and monster
waves rolled in over the bar. The vessel be-
haved admirably for time. but as the fury
of the sea increased she struck heavily twice,
and it was soon afterwards found that she
refused to answer her helm, her rudder
having been carried away Captain
Thorn then stood out to sea. In the
meantime the wind had increased to a
gale from the southwest and during the night
the steward reported that the vessel had
sprung leak aft. Efforts were Immediately
made to get the pumps to work, but it was
found that they were choked, the ship having
strained considerably as she crossed the bar.
Early on Thursday morning it was deemed
prudent to keep the steamer under canvas
and stand out to sea. The weather continued
boisterous all day Thursday, and on Friday it
was blowing gale. At about o'clock on
Friday night the vessel was struck by a
heavy sea, and giving a sudden lurch she
threw Captain Thorn with great violence
against case slowed on deck. The force of
the fall broke the Captains ninth rib on his
left side, and inflicted other painful injuries.
On Sunday morning land, supposed to
be Vancouver Island, was deserted on
the horizon. The vessel consequently stood
in for it, thinking she was heading for the
Straits of Fuca; but when the first officer
took the sun he found that the ship was in
latitude two miles to the south of Cape Flat
tery. On the previous afternoon q rudder
was constructed and dashed to the after mast.
The sea was still running high, and at
o'clock on Sunday night this steering APP
pliance was carried away. Another was
still in sight on the starboard bow, but none
on the port. This land was Washington
Territory. One after another the rud
ders were either dashed to pieces, or
broke away from their lashings, and
the vessel was thus frequently left entirely to
the mercy of the waves. As a last resort,
therefore, the foreyard was taken down, car
ried aft and rugged out to steer the ship. The
weather by this time had moderated some
what, the glass was more favorable and the
steamer answered to her new helm; but the
lashings securing the yard gave away, and it
was only with great difficulty that it was
| brought up and again rugged. On the sun
being taken, it was found that the vessel
was in the latitude of Destruction Is
land, fifty miles south of Cape Flattery.
Captain Thorn, although suffering severely,
managed to come on deck, and on discovering
that the land instead of being Vancouver
Island was Washington Territory, gave orders
to stand off. The vessel accordingly stood
off about ten miles from Destruction Island,
and was put on new course. She was then
leaking badly, and all hands went to work
with a right good will, passing buckets, in
order to keep the water below the furnaces
For many hours the crew and pas
sengers stuck to their posts nobly,
but frequently it was thought that the
vessel would founder. On Saturday morning
the worst was anticipated, and the majority
OF those on board put on Gfe-preservers.
Fortunately, however, the ship weathered the
gale, and escaped destruction by little less
than a miracle During that day it was
found necessary to tighten the ship by throw
ing nearly all the deck load overheard,
and consequently freight roughly valued at
Sc, 600 was consigned to the deep. Among
the goods thus sacrificed were twelve 200
pound barrels OF lard oil for the United
States ship Jamestown, stationed at Sitka.
On Monday night at 9 o'clock the lookout
sighted land, supposed to be Cape Flattery,
and soon afterwards the steering yard broke
down once more 1t was again secured, and
the ship was kept well under way. At half
past IL o'clock Cape Flattery light was
passed The hours passed slowly BY, but the
patience and endurance of those on board were
rewarded when at quarter past7 O'Clock this
morning the city of Victoria was sighted. A
thrill of unspeakable joy was experienced
when it became known that the trials of the
voyage were nearly ended. As soon as pos
sible the steamer Princess Louise went along
side and towed the disabled vessel into the
outer harbor, where she was taken charge of
by the steamer Otter and conducted without
mishap to Welch, Rithet & Co.'s wharf A
cursory inspection shows that she has lost her
shoe. sternpost and rudder. In the mean
time the crew, weak and almost Frustrated
by their continuous labors, had been relieved
by a relay of men from the city. Soon after
the vessel CduiS dlOuSstitC big survey
was held on her cargo, when it was found
that only a small proportion, probably some
so tons. was damaged Mr.. Goodhue lodged
a protest with the United States Consul, and
general average bond was drawn up, on
agreeing to which the consignees will
receive their freight. The passengers
speak in the highest terms of the
jealous manner in which Captain Thorn
performed his duties under the most trying
circumstances, and are also loud in their
praise of the indefatigable exertions of the
first and second officer and purser Hughes.
They are fully alive, however, to the fact
that had it not been for the assistance of the
passengers, the steamer must inevitably have
been lost. Captain Thorn does not permit
the opportunity to pass without rendering
them his sincere thanks. 1t is stated that
the California Will proceed to Burrard Inlet,
where she will be temporarily repaired, and
that her place on the northern route will be
taken this trip by the steamer Otter or Prin-
cess Louise.
A southeast gale of great violence prevailed
all day yesterday, in the midst of which the
Horse and Jockey Inn, on the Esquimault
road took fire and was entirely consumed.
LATER-The cargo of the steamship Cali
fornia has been discharged. and only 300 sacks
of -four and 40 sacks of bran were found to
have been damaged This is exclusive of the
portion of the cargo thrown overheard.
CAPTAIN Thorn is confined to his room in con-