The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-17
LOG OF THE WHALEBACK.
The Zambesl Asks 100000 for tho Scr
vices Performed.

The Zambesl Asks 100000 for tho Ser
vices Performed.
ASTORIA, Dec. 1G.-Capt. Hastings. Of the
w~halebaek G. w. Wetmore, furnished tho
following report from the ships log to-
night. On Sunday morning. Dec. ., the
barometer commenced to fall rapidly, with
increasing wind from the south southwest
and a bad looking Sky, the sea raising
heavily with the westerly swell: During
the forenoon there was no difhculty IN
steering u good course, but as the wind ana
sea iuct leased tho vessel steered badly, until
7:30 D. M. when the vessel refused to answer
her helm. BY this time it was blowing a
gale, but there was no difficulty IN heaSlng
the ship to and bringing her head 70 !ne
sea, which position was maintained during
the night, the steamer riding the sea easily.
| The wind increased to q hurricane and the
sea became SO heavy that the steamer Tell
off into the trough of il, and while
between the seas the sails would be
becalmed. BY daylight on the morning OF
the 7th inst, we succeeded III bending tne
starboard anchor to the harbor towilne 10
try and club-haul her of shore, but in con-
sequence of the force of the wind and sea 1t
had no effect. We kept the engines gong
astern all Monday night, and thus pre-
vented the ship from driving on the lee
shore, which at this time was less than Two
miles distant. BY four a. NJ, OF Tuesday.
the 9Th inst, the weather and sea had mod
Grated some. At five a. NJ. we stopped the
engines and tried to bring the vessels head
to sea, and this time succeeded in dolng, SO,
and. when she headed off shore, hauled IN
our anchor, started the engines ahead and
kept her going further off shore. During
the night all hands were working on a tenn
porary rudder which We attached to the
rudder chains.
At 6 a. IN. we had this working and the
ship was under control, the first time since
Sunday night. At 10 a. m. the British
steamer Zambesi was sighted heading Tor
us. The weather was moderating, but as
the barometer was lower than 1T nag Deen
at any time during the gale, Captain
nearest port and have the rudder fixed, and
hoisted signals signifying that the rudder
was damaged and the shin could not be
stored, and asking the Zambesi If they
would tow US into Astoria, where she was
bound, to which the captain OF the IaInbesl
sipnaled YES" WO then lowered the
Wetmore's boat and passed our hawser to
on us. our engines working ahead. After
towing for about two hours we arrived oil
the Columbia river bar, when the Zambesi
displayed signals bar cannot be
crossed until daylight" and she
hove to until morning. At daybreak
the captain OF Inc AanposA mouo
start, and before a fair strain could be got
on our hawser. a nine-inch manila, it
parted in our towing chock. The Zambesi
came around and we put our small boat out
again and got the tow line attached. The
Zambesi kept towing us around while wait,
ing for a pilot. At one p. m. a pilot boarded
the Zambesi from the pilot schooner. Be-
fore starting over the bar the Zambesi sig
nailed for Capt. Hastings to go aboard the
Zambesi to get instructions from the pilot:
Capt. Hastings went aboard and interviewed
the captain of the Zambesi and the pilot.
when it was decided to get an additional
warp from the Zambesi to further help in
steering over the bar. At $3.50 p. m. we
started to cross the bar, the Zambesi steer
ing ua, and the Wetwore working her en-
gines. AT four p. m. the warp parted,
which made no p%erceptible difference in our
progress or steering. We crossed the bar
safely. and at nine p. m. anchored off AS
toria."