Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-05-30

Since the beginning Of the current
year a most appalling chapter OF aeci-
dents have occurred 10 steamers ON the
waters of the Pasifc. The Chehalis, Ia
coma and Eureka were sunk; the Gem,
Grappler, Fanny Lake and Mississippi
burned; the Josephine and the Pilot
blown up. The list comprises nine
craft, two of which were large. ocean
going, iron, costly vessels; two Others
vessels of the same character, only
smaller and built of wood; the other
five being steamers Of less size ana
value. intended for the navigation OF IN
land waters. With single exception
these disasters have all occurred 70
vessels engaged In the trade OK the
northern coast and seven have occurred
In this immediate vicinity or to the
north of Us. The loss Of life connected
with all these marine mishaps has been
fearful, while the value Of property de-
stroyed has been close upon a million
dollars. We regret to say 1t, bat unfor-
tuuateiy it is too true, that there II the
best Of reason for believing that eight
Of these accidents might have been
either entirely averted or very much
Iessened. The sinking of the Eureka IN
Alaska waters h the only one OF these
misfortunes that little more care
would not perhaps have prevented. Sne
struck on an unknown rock, and sank.
There Is no present rfss In specifying
the proven, alleged or supposed causes
OF the other disasters, or to dwell TOO
long upon a matter Of 10 mournfui
character. They should be considered
though, az lessons or warnings anu
should be tho roughly learned and care
fully needed. Are they really taken as
warnings, and are the diminished num-
Der OF Pacific coast steamers run NJ
present az though they, too. are liable
20 similar accidents Are not the
steamers frequently over passengered
Are combustibles transported according
to legal aud official requirements Are
the life saving apparatus complste, IN
good order and sufficient How about
the boilers Of our hard run, oyer-tasked
steamers How also about their steer
ing gear II strikes us that 1t IL the
duty Of certain paid, sworn officials to
look after those things. II is their duty
10 take oognizance Of infractions and
derelictions. that come under their per
sonsl view, and not wait until prepared
complaints are made. Not only Is this
true, but 1t is also their duty Of their
own motion to look after these things.
The carrying Of hay was the cause of
the burning Of at least two of the above
named steamers, and the use Of manila
ropes, instead of, iron, was the partial
cause Of the loss Of most of the lives
above referred to. And yet, while this
Ia we'll known, we do not suppose a sin
Gle steamer on the coast has made any
change whatever looking 10 the avoid
afice OF hko accidents 10 themselves. III
they will not do this voluntarily, they
should be compelled to, but they should
a, II of their volition, and prob
ably will with slight moral and bust
ness pressure. The business of the
coast has already been injured by this
rapid succession of disasters, and IL an
end IL not soon reached will be practi-
cally suspended M far as steamers are
concerned. People will go overland, or
stay nj home, and they will ship by sail
vessels, or not ship at all. The early
occurrence of one or two more marine
disasters will have the effect of dimin-
ishing trade and travel one-half, which
In itself would be calamity Of the
most serious moment.