The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-07
LONELY, BUT GRAND.
Destruction Island Rears Its
Head From the Pacific.
WHERE THE WILD FOWL SWARM
And Stay Themselves Dashfng Biindly
Against the Lighthouse-Howt the
Whales Are Killed.

The keeper OF the government lighthouse
which was established few years ago On
Destruction Island doubtless leads a lone
ly life. but he has some experiences which
lover OF the romantic and the adventur-
ons might well covet The island Itself Is
not without a certain weird fascination.
Thirty-tive miles south OF Cape F'lattery Il
rises abruptly from the face OF the ocean.
IL has picturesque. though wild and
rugged beauty. and as Il stands facing the
northern blasts that have sent more than
one stout ship 10 the bottom, IL calls 3p
the name OF Isla de Dolores, which the
early Spanish navigator Quadra gave IT TO
commemorate his misfortunes, and the
later name of Destruction island, given TO
it In 1877 BY Capt. Berkiey on account CT
the sad fate of several Of his crew who
were murdered on its savage coast. On
wild and stormy nights, when the WIND IS
whirling the sea into foam against the
beetling edges OF the island. the scene
passes the merely beautiful and becomes
majestic and sublime.
On such nights the keeper has visitors
that do not come to the dor Of the ordinary
land-lubber. Flocks OF wild fowl. attract
ed by the bright Light. fly blindly towards
X. and with the force of the wind added
TO that of their own stout wings, they are
driven against the lens with a momentum
that sometimes skaters the thick glass. but
the birds. Sometimes there is positive
volley OF birds against the face OF the
light. and as many as a dozen have been
known to strike 1t simultaneously. After
a stormy night it is not uncommon for tina
keeper 10 pick up at the base of the tower
as many as twenty-five dead birds Many
OF these are of the choicest kinds, and the
keepers table seldom lacks a supply such
as an epicure might crave.
During the day the keeper Is frequently
greeted by the thrilling sight of whale
hunt by Indians in the neighboring waters,
a chase as hazardous and exciting as any
on mountain or plain. Each canoe goes
out with a crew Of six oarsmen, one
sportsman in the bow, and the captain or
helmsman in the stern. To the end Of the
spear an alright sealskin. inflated like
bladder, is attached by line fifty feet
long. A dozen OF these boats go out to-
gether when a whale is sighted. Stealth
ly single boat moves out from the little
fleet and approaches the big game, the
oarsmen stoical and calm. the sportsman
erect, rigid, statuesque. 1t is moment OF
grave peril. splashing oar, sudden
move, a wavering hand or hot head at the
helm. and boat and crew would go down
beneath a single stroke from the great
monster now so near At precisely the
right instant the sportsman hurls his
spear with unerring aim, and the battle
begins. And then one standing on the ISL
and cliff sees the little boat dart away,
and the whale fiercely churning the water.
The other boats come up rapidly. Weak
ened by loss of blood, retarded by the air.
tight skins that float on the water. and
worn out by turning hither and thither in
whimsical pursuit of his many foes, the
whale slowly gives over the unequal con-
test, and is towed at last, Ike the great
hulk Of a merchantmen. to Neah bay,
where the Indians gather for a great feast.