The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1883-09-06

stranded steamer, presenting a pitiful
appearance, while right and left
bobbed the only salvation in the shape
tSthe tugs. Pianos, whisky, fruit,
chairs, baskets, vegetables, etc., COM
prising freight to the amount of 700
tons which an army of Astoria long
shoremen had thrown overheard
during the night. Uttered the sea.
Word was passed to begin, and for
two hours everything was done to get
the vessel of, but TO no purpose. At
twelve o'clock preparations were made
for final effort. The tide was max
ing and would be full at half-past two.
To where the vessel was lying stern on
hawser was got out from the Colum-
bid and another from the Pioneer, a
little to the right. The Astoria was
placed in front of the Columbia, and
the Brenham IN front Of the Pioneer,
thus making up a tremendous four
horse team, with wheelers of strength
and leaders of spirit.
"Now then, boys. said Capt. Fla
vel, "this vessel has got to come off
and this is the moment. All together.
All together it was, and the united
force of the tugs was concentrated.
She leaned, swayed, slid. and with a
lurch, listed to port and swung into
deep water, coming on with such
force as to cause the tugs to cut their
hawsers, lay back their ears and fy.
She rounded to as gracefully as n
swan, and such a cheer as went up
was never heard on that spot before.
A breeze blew aside the fog, the sun
shone out, the flags were dipped, and
the great steamer, Seeded by the
tugs stood up the bay.
The news had preceded them and
delighted throng gathered at the dock
to welcome the vessel and the men
that had saved her. As she rounded
Kinney's dock cheer broke from the
crowd, the tugs and steamers turned
loose, the Queens deep bass sounding
amid the treble of the smaller craft.
Capt. Hustler gave her a salute of
welcome with his battery of ordnance,
and such another hubbub as has been
rarely heard greeted the safe arrival
OF the vessel that many supposed was
irretrievably lost. She leaves for Port
land this morning.
The tugs are badly battered and
will need considerable repairs to put
them in good condition again. Capt.
Flavel is rightly proud of the work
they did and the way they did it, and
to his skilLand energy the company
is indebted for the recovery of the
finest vessel of the feet. To mention
in detail all who took part and made
the affair the success it was transcends
our space. Suffice it to say that there
was never harder bit of work more
successfully put through on this
coast and fortunate indeed were the
owners of the Queen that such prompt
and adequate means of rescue were
at their disposal.
The only fatality to record is the
suicide of Cole, the watchman. The
steward tells us that Cole was in poor
health when leaving San Francisco and
when the ship struck he seemed per-
fectly wild. About two O'Clock yes
terdsy morning he asked for a cigar,
and when the steward was returning
with the cigar he saw Cole seize a
lamp and spring into the sea. He
rushed to the eide of the vessel and
saw the waves close over his head,
and though every effort was made to
save him, the unfortunate man Was
seen no more.
! Considerable of the the freight jet
tisoned belongs TO Astoria. Mr. Noyes,
gives notice concerning all freight
picked up, for which he will receipt,
and when the company makes up
its general average will account for
it.
As to the cause of the disaster but
little need be said. The fog WAS so
thick on the river as to render navi-
CATION on any portion of it a matter
of the greatest risk. The natural de-
sire of the guests aboard to 60 for
ward on their way to celebrate the
driving of the last spike may have
been the chief motive that prompted
the attempt to cross in, but there
need be no more stigma attached to
the locality by reason of striking on the
sands than should be to the entrance
TO San Francisco harbor where the
Columbia struck last spring, or the
smooth and narrow stream where the
same vessel struck the 4berlemnO
last Tuesday. One thing however
is certain, that it is not at all likely
there will be any more racing from
San Francisco to Astoria for some
time to come. Such an occurrence as
that of last Tuesday is enough for the
next ten years to deter any one from
/ attempting to eros. unless in bright
daylight Had it not been for the
, prompt and efficient service rendered
l by Astorians yesterday the bones
of the Queen might have lain on the
other side of the south channel from