The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-30
YACHTSMEN IN PERIL.
Commodore Johnson's Linda
Has a Hard Experience.
SHE MET STORM AFTER STORM.
Dragged Her Anchor OF smifh's IS
land, Lost Her Jib and imper-
lied Lives of Her Crew.

The marty Of yachtsnaen who have been
cruising among the islands on Commodore
7 H JohnsoEs sIoop yacht Linda re-
turned last night after experiencing such
a smell OF stormy weather with such per
lis as almost entItle them to be called
veteran mariners
the marty started on July q. and con-
sisted Of Commodore J. II. Johnson. in
command. T. e Borrow. @. ". Fisher.
J r Madigau, J. V. Lansing. Tracy II.
poiertsou. Frederick Bausman and the
eook They arrived at Port Townsend on
Tuesday morning. having drifted about
In a dense fog the greater part OF the
night After securing ball they started
for Smiths island. concerning which tae
chart says the anchorage is good Al
about p. m. a heavy wind had made the
sec very chonpv. The breeze Increased
10 a gale. and the commander ordered
she r1aiusaIl taken IN. With the 1ib alone
the Yacht made the run TO the Island.
where anchor was cast upon the south
side near reef The wind was so strong
that the anchor dragged lightly, and
heavier anchor was dropped seven fath-
oras But SO strong was the gale mat
even the two anchors failed 10 hold the
heat This was at Els a. m. of July "A.
The anchors were heaved TO with great
diffluliy. and the boat got under way
with the SD alone. narrowly escaping The
reef The sea was 3 mass OF seeming.
boiling waves, seemingly coming from eV-
cry direction.
nv hard struggle the boat was kept
before the wind 10 Watmouth head. Tie
night was dark aud The boat 7Tas steered
by compass and log. At ais a. m. the ub
was carried away The commander man
aged TO get out upon the bowsprit and
cut the Nh loose. while two Of the crew
dashed themselves TO the bowsprit and
hauled IL in. So heavy was the roll OF
the boat that the commander vas often
completely out of sight beneath the wa
ter !; was s a. m. before this difficult
task was completed. and the sail again
ready for action. II Is said that three of
the crew came near being washed over
hoard while taking up the anchor in the
face OF the reef at Smiths island.
The fatigued mariners finally reached
Friday Harbor where they stayed all
day for rest and recuperation. They then
made new start. touching at Olga and
Paavfne pass. then came on down through
Fletcher pass. reaching Anacortes on
Saturday morning. having an opportuni-
- 20 pass the scene of their peril i'm the
upward passage Port Townsend was
reached on Saturday night. the party re-
naming there until Sunday evening.
Soon after sailing from Port Townsend
a strong head tide was struck. and the
wind died down, leaving the boat TO be
carried back into the straits nearly TO
Protection island. AT 2 o'clock a. m a
heavy southeastern came up. and then IL
was a combat against both tide and wind
until nearly o'clock. The wind continued
very stif until about . p. m. OF Sunday.
The good ship reached home at O'Clock
p. m. yesterday.
All on board speak in the highest terms
OF the bravery and skin of Commander
Johnson. 4 man with less nerve or less
knowledge OF seamanship would have
lost his vessel ip the tempestuous sea IL
may be said. too. that not man of the
party failed 10 respond promptly 10 the
orders OF the commander. The gentle
men looked brown and somewhat worn
rs they landed They had experienced
many days OF exposure. and during three
entire days had found opportunity for
but eight hours sleep. All express them
selves as satisfied with the behavior OF
the Linda, and look forward with pleas
nre 10 the time when with the same boat
ara The same commander they may be
able 10 repeat the voyage with more IA
Norabie weather and seas.