The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-08
THE WIDE WEST LOST
Her Captain and Crew Proyi-
dentially Escape.
HARDsHiPs sY LAND AND SEA
Captain Fred N. sparIing's Graphic De-
seriptien Of the Wreck and His
Ard1aus Journey.

PozT TowxsExp. Jan. The Wide West
was wrecked on the beach OF the main
land eas4 southeast OF Destruction island
Saturday morning. Deeeugoe- - Al on
beard are nox safe. Fail particulars Of
tie disaster reached Ehis eity tais evening
hs the arrival OF Captain Sparling on the
EyanzeI- The captain states that he
crossed out over the bar from Astoria as
80 s. n. with fair weather aud northeast
Wind. which continued about Twelve hours,
when ii veeged 30 southeast and the baron
eter began falling rapidly. At ii A. N. on
Friday, December 81. the wind veered TO
southwest and the barometer continued
falling. Tie hurricane constantly increased
IN fury.
At2 o'clock Saturday morning when the
sea was rapidly rolling and the vessel
straiaing badly, heavy crash was heard.
Tie mate went below 20 Investigate the
cause and reported that the propeller Was
gone. Captain spsFling Immediately
ordered ali sail spread and SET OF for land
hsg. Eneaifiesi the order vhen he learned
! that the prapsller was not entirely gone.
lie orceFea the spGnker set and endeayored
20 steana to sea. Tor he seen found that the
vessel wogsa not s:eet-with helm hard
over she would not Gene further taaa
southeast by south. Her tiller guide and
radder stock were badly twisted.
She waS soon drifting heiplessly In the
trough Of the tremondoas westerly swell
and furious sunthsesteriy wind. A heavy
sq1ali carried away her spanker and boom
sad also her patent log and rotateE. Her
loe registered - when carried away.
Under lee of Destruction island she
dropped anchor in seven fathems Of water,
which instantly parted new fye-inch
MANILA hawser. About $50 3. NJ she was
driven ashore. striking on 3 reef. when the
next Sea raised her clear OF and grounded
her inside between two boulders.
George Campbell. a seaman. Immediately
jumped overheard and carried life line 10
shore, by means of which the entire crew
was safety landed. Six men we're LETT with
the wreck while Captain Spariing, his
brother, DR.. George II. SpaTlinS. and George
Campbell Immediately set out for PySht
overland.
The intense hardship Of this journey viii
be well understood by these acquainted
With the difficulties OF travelling through
the mountain ard forest wilderness at this
season of the year. They procured an
Indisn guide and started up Hob river for
occupied thirty-sfx hours. AT La Push
they were hospitality received by the post
trader. Dan Puilen. From kere they went
10 Qullynts and thence proceeded over
Pysht mountain In company with the mail
carrier. arriving at Pysht last week Thurs
day. hayiug Travelled overland distance of
seventy miles. eneountering deep snow The
entire distance.
II was impossible for them TO leave PySht
until today. when they boarded the Evan
gel and came 10 the city. As the wires to
pysht we're down il was impossible for
them TO send any intelligence of their dis
Aster or rescue to allay the anxiety OF their
I friends.
/ The revenue cutter Corwin left Neah hay
! last Saturday, 70 search down along the
/ coast for a trace OF the missing steamer.
and Il is probable that the six men left 20
| watch the vessel have been picked up ere
/ this.
Besides Captain F. H. Sparling of Seattle
/ and his brother. Dr. George II. Sparling,
there we're the following seamcn aboard
I William Walton, mate; Il. 6iolding. chief
/ engineer: George Campbell. Charles Morel.
/ lins, Harry Hanson. Frank Wilson. fire.
man; William Weiss and a Chinese cook
/ George Campbell the seaman who arrived
/ today with Captain Sparling. has been on
the coast about 8 month. He states that
I he served in the United States navy and
that he was master-at-arms of the United
states ship Franklin, when she brought
! Boss Tweed from Niso. Spain.
/ The loss by the wreck oI the Wild West
is about SIS. .0el