The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-06-12
Our @lio.
UP THE COLUMBIA RIVER.

UP THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
The Hazardous Voyage of the Steamer John
Gates-Hauled Through Rapids at the end
of Hawser-A Plucky Captain who Un
derstood his Business.
A correspondent of the New York Times
gives the following graphic description of
recent trip up the Columbia River:
The Great Columbia is navigable for the
largest steamers from its mouth to the Cas-
cades, $50 miles, Above the Cascades it
is navigable for so miles further. Here
the rapids at the Dalles obstruct navigation
again, and above that for 200 miles is good
navigable water to the foot Of Priests
Rapids in about latitude 46o co.
Although there is known to be abun-
dance of water in the river, it has always
remained an unsolved problem as to whether
or not steamer could pass the Priests
Rapids and the other Instructions in the
river and reach what is known to be the
impossible Keller Falls, in about latitude
49, 60, at the distance of lib miles from
the mouth of the great river. This problem
was now to be solved, and on the evening
of the 23d of April the steamer John Gates
ran up the foot of the rapids and made a
reconnaissance of about as ugly piece of
water for navigation as can be imagined.
The great river here breaks through an
immense wall of black volcanic rock in
three channels, and when our steamer
reaches point where all she can do is to
just barely hold her own, we look up
steep slope of water where it comes tumb-
ling over the incline in mass Of wild
snow-capped waves which look as if moth
ing built of wood and iron could stand their
mad tumultuous rush.
Our Captain having decided which of
the channels to attempt, made his prepara-
tions the next morning to pull the steamer
over this (the sixth fall. To do this a
rope nearly half mile long is carried to a
point up the shore on wagon. To this
point small boat is also taken by half
pulling, half rowing it along the bank.
The point selected is as nearly as possible
in the prolongation of the channel to be
followed. Here "dead man, in steam
boat phraseology, is "planted." This 'dead
man" consists of heavy log placed either
in trench or behind huge rocks, SO that
the strain upon it will be perpendicular to
its length. To this the end of the rope is
tied, all the rest of it being placed in the
small boat, in which is also placed an emp
ty whisky barrel provided with rope bands
to attach it to and float the end of the rope.
Everything being now ready, four sturdy
oarsmen pull the boat out from shore while
the rope is payed out as she recedes. Soon
she strikes into the wild, raging current,
and comes dancing down toward u.s. Just
above where the steamer is lying the small
boat gets to the end of her line, overheard
goes her whisky barrel, and as this feels the
check of the rope to which it is fastened
the strength of the current is shown by the
water breaking high over it, and at times
it is entirely buried. The steamer is now
run up to the dancing barrel, graphing
hooks are thrown out, the barrel with the
end of the line is pulled on deck, the line
put around the steam capstan and the lat
ter starts to wind it up while the slowly
moving wheel of the steamer exerts just
enough power to stem the current until the
slack of the rope is taken up. When this
is done she puts on more power, and, the
capstan turning at the same time, she
reaches point where she would go back
but for the restraining action of the rope,
now to be seen straight and taut and above
the water for 100 feet or more of its length.
Now comes the tug of war. Faster and
faster works the wheel, straighter apd
straighter shows the part of the line above
water, while the angry waters boil around
the little craft and between her and the
ugly-looking black rocks on each side of
her, touch against which would be her
destruction. Slowly she approaches the
steepest part of the water in her front.
To those of us on shore looking on she
seems at times to stand perfectly still, and
advantage is taken of her motionless con-
dition to take photograph of her as she
lies suspended amid the whirling waters,
her stern wheel flying around so fast that
the paddles cannot be connected To us
she seems destined to destruction, for right
in the middle of the channel stands huge
rock, its black surface scarcely covered by
the rushing waters which turn to milk
white foam as they dash over it. The
Gates must pass between this rock and the
jagged mass on either side of the channel.
1t seems impossible for her to avoid both.
As one of our party expresses it:
eff she escapes Schuyler she is sure to
90 to pieces on Carambolis.
t. aor4o,,l,v 1ool-e ,c +bo rxo1c ba1
doomed her to destruction, but the gods of
old have hard time of it against mod
ern steamboat Captain, and this is especi-
ally SO of the Captain who now holds the
helm of the John Gates, for he is whole
troop in himself.
The line has already once become caught
on the rocks at the bottom, and the ad-
vance of the steamer had to be checked,
and now Just as she reaches the stiffest part
of the current the rope catches again, and as
we look we hold the breath anxiously, for
the rope is to decide the question on which
side of that huge rock the steamer is to go.
While all are in suspens, the rope sudden
ly springs out of water 1oa feet OF its
length and stands there straight IS an ar
row. Now all steam is put on, the wheel
whirls round faster than ever, deluging fhe
whole rear part of the deck with spray.
aShe moves She moves r we cry, aPd
with slow, graceful movement she glides
into the smoother water above, and her
gallant Captain is greeted with hearty
cheers by the lookers-on. !
We have passed one rapid, but worse
ones are ahead, and after a short stop