The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-16

but no vessel appeared to sight the signs
of distress.
SO terribly did the ship commence to
roll as she got into the monster breakers,
which dash against the rocks near the
Columbia's mouth, that no one could re-
main on deck. Captain Arnesen thought
all was lost, and ordered his crew to do
what they could to save themselves. He
helped his wife out of the stateroom and
assisted her into the rigging. lie tied a
rope around her waist and attached the
other end of II to himself, for, to use his
language: 81 told her that we might try to
get ashore through the breakers if it came
to the worst" The yards were dipping
from side to side, and at each dip went dee
into the sea.
Suddenly a bright light flashed out of
the dark sky. The muffled sound of a
siren was heard and like spirit out of the
darkness came the Fearless. After some
work the plucky tug caught hold of the
remaining bawser and started off for the
bar.
AT few minutes after II o'clock on the
morning of Sunday the battered towboai,
dragging the badly listed Breidablik, came
I'D the stream at Astoria. Yes, the Breida-
blk had been saved from the very jaws
of death.
CAPTAIN Haskell looked satisfied whe n
he stepped ashore at the Oceanic do *
yesterday afternoon. He sail he was glad
to get back, and we'll he might be. The
tug sho wed the damage done by the storm
in her strained decks and flooded ca bins,
but with these exceptions she looked as
strong and seaworthy as ever. Captain
HaskelPs story substantiates that fur
nished by Captain Arnesen. He speaks in
the highest terms of the Breidablk's cap
tain. and says that Mate Tollefsen's brave
act should not be forgotten by the ships
owners.
The first hawser parted. according to
Captain Haskell. had to be cut with an ak
close TO the bits from top of the deck
house, as seas were flooding the tugs
lower decks to the depth of several feet.
Just as soon as the rope was cleared so
that it would not foul the propeller the
tug was headed out to sea and the ship
was lost from sight.
The hurricane of Sunday was furious
beyond description. One standing in the
piot-house could not see hundred yards
ahead. for the tops of the waves were
blown into dense spray. which, added to
the rain and mist, made the atmosphere
thick and impenetrable by sight for any
distance.
Seas broke over the vessel forward and
aft. There was at one time a foot of water
in the pilot-house. and Captain Haskell
quarters, which are just back of the
steering-room, were deluged. One sea
came over the bow while the Fearless was
trying to dodge several monster combers
that were approaching astern. 1t broke
against the steel deckhouse with sound
like the discharge of a cannon.
The force of the wave actually bent the
strong steel plates of the house and the
water forced its way into the after doors
OF the structure and drenched the pretty
cabin that was built for Mr. Spreckels'
use. The galley was flooded and the
stores wet so that they were unfit for food.
The dscks started and leaked. Water
drlpped through them to the bold and
engine-room below. In the engine-room
and over the coal buDkers it came through
like rain and spatIered on the stokers and
engineers.
When the Fearless drew near to the
Breidabik while the ship was rolling a
strange sight was presented to the tugbo at
men. Tne big craft was dipping until her
crossjack yard touched the encroachng
seas. and the waves washed up ON the
decks TO the hatch combings. The sailors
on deck slid from one side to the other in
vain attempts to keep their feet.