Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-02-21
TELEGRAPHIC.
An Epitsus Of tho Principal Events Now
Attracting Public Interest

ticulars of the wreck OF the Df.'ie',
shin Abercorn have been obtained
from the three survivors
They we're out 1875 days from elias
gov. with 1900 tons OF steel rails con
Signed to the O. R. & N. Co. They
took Pilot johnson on board, as pre-
viously reported, and stood out TO sea. |
The wreck occurred at half-past SIX
Monday morning, by the vessel run
ming on a sand beach. There was no
gale blowing whatever, but u WAS
somewhat foggy.
Two bonrs previous to striking John
son sent man into the cross trees W
keep a lookout for lights at the mouth
of the Columbia river, supposing they
were near that locality. At the time,
they we're steering southeast course
and carrying light sail. Inc ola
sailor was on watch. He says they
took soundings only twice after taking
johnson on board, first on Saturday
when they found eighty fathoms, ana
again after standing out to sea on
Sunday, when they sounded and found
100 fathoms. All the survivors agree
that these were the only soundlngs
taken. The vessel struck seven miles
north of Gray's harbor, near Damon,s
point. Immediately after striking all
hands went into the after cabin, as the
sea was breaking badly forward, and
while they were there the foremost
and maiAmast broke, and the deck
split. About 80 p. m. heavy sea
broke into the cabin. The old sailor,
who was first out of the cabin, could
not tell how many were drowned at
that time, but is satisfied some must
have been. Those who survived as
cended the rigging of the mizzenmast,
and the old man saw Pilot Johnson as
he came out of the cabin, which was
filled with water. He then saw wave
strike him, upon which he tried to
grasp the bar of the companion way,
but missed it, when second wave
struck Johnson and carried him into
the ocean. The old man watched him
, for some time in the water, and says
he swan nobly, but as he was looking
back at the vessel and swimming par
allel with the coast, he did not appear
to be making for the shore, although
, the sailor thinks sif he had had any
thing to assist him he could easily have
been saved. A little later the mizzen-
, mast gave way, and the ship opened
and let all into the sea. AS the mast
was going, the old sailor jumped to
, clear the side of the ship, and was
under water for some time. AS he
came up the second time he saw near
> him plank about thirteen feet long.
which he seized and steered for the
shore. After getting on the plank, he
says his hair was hardly wet, showing
, there was no storm.
The next survivor, a man about u
: years of age, came ashore with piece
: of plank under each arm. Both of the
i men were in the water about half al
hour.
A The boy who was saved is an orphan
and was one OF the five boys from the
9 training ship, all of whom were max
+ ing their first voyage. He will be II
a next April, but like the others hi
d name is unknown. He also cam,
d ashore with two pieces of plank, ant
was the last to reach shore, having
\ been about an hour in the water, ant
q having drifted two miles up the coas
:, from where the others landed. HI
. was unconscious when found by MI
q McIntire and an Indian. The DO,
4 says he Jaw several persons in the wa
ter after he had left the wreck, an(
was the last to see the captain alive
/, At one time the captain was within
Vt fifteen feet of him, and told him t
"a hang on to his planks and not to b
s scared, and he wonld reach shore a
e right. Then a heavy wave struck tn
T. lad and that was the last he saw of tn
g, captain or any of the ships crew.
q Shortly after the boy reached shor
body was seen floating but shol
- distance from the shore, but it san
, Immediately after being sighted, an
- although the Indians and McIntil
y and A. o. Damon rushed into th
. waves up to their necks, it was impo
"a sible to recover the body, Which wa
- supposed to be that OF the captain.
~ Sixteen bodies are reported founl
- including those of Pilot Johnson an
- the captain, the former having bee
recognized by note book found
r, his pocket. All the bodies were foun
i from sixteen to nineteen miles up til
o. coast.
a The ships company consisted of IL
W captain and twenty-four men.
d. On arriving at Hoquiam bay IL
At men were most Hospitality entertaine
rs and everything done for their comfor
lie Too much praise ca2uot be given
the Indians for the manner in wbic
10 they rlsked their lives to save IL
q. drowning men, and the care they toe
N of the survivors.
n. The old sailor says he has gor
10 through many scenes of shipwrec
es before, but this was the worst he h,
es ever witnessed. Had there been
10 life-saving station or rocket to car,
" line to the vessel, every man migl
o. have been saved. The immediate n
ID cesslty of station in that vicinity
now only too apparent.
4. An IRON Column. % feet long an
M weighing ov 5000 pounds, part of
/, new lighthouse being built, was r,
in Gently landed at Bishop Rock, FL
- gland, and storm coming nm w,