The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-08-30
HEAVIER AND HEAVIER.
Tho Whole Columbia River Enveloped
in Cloud Of Smoke.

in q Cloud of Smoke.
Although slight breeze sprung III
from the northeast yesterday morning
the dense cloud of smoke that has en-
veloped the whole lower Columbia basir
for the past three days, did not dimin
ish, but on the contrary became heavier
as the day wore on. The breeze, light
as it was, had its effect, however, fol
the early morning hours were comfort.
ably cool, though the Thermometer
mercury began to climb up as Old So
arose higher in the heavens and peeped
down through the veil, the smoke caus-
ing his big round face to loom up like
n $40 gold piece.
SO thick was the smoke during the
afternoon and evening, that one could
not look for any great length of time
at a givei, object without experiencing
more or less pain in the eyes, the steam
boatmen being the ones who felt it
most.
On the river navigation Is made most
difficult by the density of the smoke.
and If it continues getting worse, some
of the boats will tie up until the at
mosphere clears up bit The Baker
was the first boat reported in difficulty,
having run on the breakvater, five
miles this side Of Portland on her way
down the river Tuesday night Her
bottom was damaged so badly that it
was necessary to haul her back to
Portland for repairs. The Thompson
took her passengers and mail yesterday
morning and came through on regular
time.
The Telephone arrived on time, but
Capt. Crang states that 1t was only
with the greatest difficulty that he was
able to keep the course on the up trip
the night previous. rhe compass was
used all the way. it being impossible
to locate the lights along the river.
Yesterday, so thick was the smoke. that
the Telephone fog whistle was kept
running the entire distance to Cath
lamet
The Lurline came down the river ar
irving here yesterday morning on time,
and the Ocean Wave arrived at the usu-
al hour in the afternoon. Both vessels
were handled with the same precaution
used on the other river steamers.
The Columbia, with a large passen-
ger list and heavy cargo Of freight
crossed in over the bar about o'clock
yesterday morning When she got a
short distance this side Of the oil
works instead of keeping in the reg
ular channel her course was changed
so that the big steamer was headed di-
rectly up Young's Bay. 1t was low
tide at the time, and there was not
enough distance between the bottom
and the surface of the bay to allow the
vessel to proceed very far for she soon
struck the sands and came to full
stop. There was not enough power in
the big engines to back her off, though
the water was ehurned up for an hour
or more in an endeavor to get her into
deep water again. About 1l:sO a. m. the
tide was high enough to float her, and
she proceeded without difficulty to her
dock.
Just how long this smoky atmosphere
will continue is hard to say, but prob
ably until good. drenching rain comes
down and extinguishes the burning
brush piles and forests.
At sea. according to reports from val
rious in-coming vessels, the smoke belt
does not extend any great distance be-
low Tillamook Rock, but just off the
mouth of the river 1t is thick enough to-
smoke e ham.