The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-24
A PElsyYOUS VENTURE.
From the Dalles Mountaineer.

from the upper river ana placing her
on the route between this city and the
Upper Cascades. Various ways and
projects had been devised and thought
Of by which the steamer could accom-
plish this seemingly impossible pas
sage, and each successive plan of op-
Grafton seemed as futile as its prede-
cessor. At last an idea was hit on
which seemed the most plausible, and
that was to haul her around the 'rum-
water Fall on u temporary track, and
place her in the water again about
half mile below, and at low water
float her'down over the rapids to this
city. Captain Troup, however, was of
| the opinion that he could successfully
RUN THE BOAT OVER
| This obstacle, and so cleary presented
| his idea to the officers of the company,
that they consented to his making the
trial. In this overture the captain
was warmly seconded by Train Master
Fordyce and ]. J. Holland, the builder
of the Queen. 1t was not originally
intended to make the attempt at the
| present stage of the water, but as the
river was inclined to drop, further de-
| lay was dangerous. On last Tuesday
forenoon (Feb. s, this difficult passage
was accomplished, and too much credit
cannot be given Captain Troup for the
! successful manner in which he did the
work. Not only has much trouble
been overcome, but it has been clear
saving of at least $4,000 to the COM
pany by this half hours work. Only
few were on board beside several
prominent officers of the company
| namely, General Superintendent Cap
tain George Ainsworth, Train Master
Fordvce, Superintendent Fairweather,
General Freight and Passenger Agent
John Muir, Chif Engineer De HUI,
Chief Civil Engineer II. p. Thielsen,
y. Pardun at the throttle, Captain
James Troup in command, and full
boats crew. At half-past eight all
were on board, and the steamer started
on her downward course. The river
was i0i feet :. f,cVe extreme low water
mark, and with this volume the fall
was about II feet in twice the length
Of the boat. As she passed over her
wheel and rudder
srprc,- ,,,rp pocrs o~ TIVE pD,>E
-, a.. t.,l, a., ,
tf'io ti'G e., tetI!o'e Jar ot"ht one HoS
chn'il. li!e Naptuiii "a" H'9 u"iSei'
"lIu '9us W p"tH iIoi' iie Wus ar
s"cieu 'ilio"s.. 'lc t"Tc tn"' v,ic iii" Ia,
tnl,leIs was ut.erIy nc'piess !,au
hosrd enoinn The cnrrent HURRIED
the boat rapidly along. She strucl, a
large rock lust forward the engine
room, breaking through two compart-
ments. Her bow now pointed direct
toward a high ledge of rocks, Just then
the whimsical current whirled her
around, and she passed on in safety.
Another reef of rock loomed un lust
ahead, and in an instant she struck.
Her forward guard and nose gave way
under this shock, and she quivered
from stem to stern. Surging off, she
sped on and soon passed all danger
The large anchor was thrown over
board, which held fast, but Ohe terri
BILE pressure snapped the hawser like a
pipe-stem. The kedge anchor was
now put i'm use, which finally made
fast hold, and the downward course of
the boat was checked. Engineers
Pardun and DeHuff had by this time
disconnected the enginc-, and with
the port engine she was run to the
beach near Cane Horn, and those on
board safely landed. She is now living
at that point, where her damage will
be repaired as much as possible. But
her perilous passage is not finished by
a good deal. She has vet to
p,,>, r1rr rp,, ,,,urpors
Just uoo,e 1hls CITY "u1 IaP1. iIVup
informed our rep1rter eui'esuay