The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-25

and the lumber between decks before risk
ing passage over the bar. The discharg-
ing was done with lighters, and the work
in this deliberate manner required nine
teen days, and on December y, with the
vessel drawing but seventeen feet of
water the passage of the S-shaped rivers
mouth was begun. There was a light
easterly wind and smooth bar with a
moderate southerly swell running. The
Italian bark Chiarina, drawing sixteen
feet three inches. had just passed safely
in, and the same tug and pilot returned,
taking complete charge of the Bonanza
With a tide of nearly five feet the vessel
struck and lost steerage way at 1906 p. m.
The vessel began falling 10 the north
ward against every effort of the tug, and
took ground heavily at each swell.
Vain Efforts to Float the ship.
The dredger Sir Gordon, of which the
steam was nearly drawn, was brought
TO the rescue by $3.50. and with two ropes
from the port bow of the bark, with the
assistance of the tug and the steamer
Nudge. tried to draw the endangered ship
into deeper water. The tug and dredger
parted all lines and a twelve-inch hawser
running 10 the breakwater was also car
ried away. The tide was falling rapidly.
The ship was humping heavily and leak
ing rapidly, and the masts and yards jerk
ing and weaving, making ii very danger
the Stetson ladies ashore in safety. The
Bonanza was filled with water up TO the
space between decks, the rudder was
gone, and the cargo was badly listed 10
the port side. The wind and sea increased.
and with low tide K was soon found
that the case was hopeless.
After five days OF effort it was found
that the cacgo alone could be saved With
the labor of the fifty Kaff1rs in charge
of Mate Morris, Carpenter Jacobson, Sea-
men Ed Stetson and Charley Sherkon.
the work Of discharging required two
months. Only at high tide could the work
proceed and the lumber, as before when
discharging the deck load, was carried
ashore in lighters. The surf rolled over
the vessel much Of the time. The ship
showed wonderful strength. In removing
the cargo the beams were all sawed, but
the firm old vessel hung together until
every stick OF timber was removed. Inc
wreck was sold al auction, and during
the two months Capt. Stetson disposed OF
The belongings to the best advantage. set
Ting up with the consignees. and closed
his business affairs at East London be-
fore taking passage for Cape Town on the
way home on the magnificent steamer
Guelph, bound from Port Natal TO Eng
land.
\ Sailors Love for His ship.
Among seafaring people the reverence
for ship is often nearly human. Tney
frequently ascribe TO q faVOrite vessel the
powers Of more than any human oelEs,
and for the ability to weather the heaviest
seas and pass safely through the fury or
the blacklist storm clouds, crossing oceans
Of every diversity Of danger, visiting cltles
IN every cline. and carrying 10 the name
port fabrics and foods and merchantable
material Of every imaginable production,
ii is common for even the Ignorant sea-
man TO address n beloved ship with apos-
trophies that would excel those OF many q
poet and scholar. The human senses and
powers are frequently applied 10 vessel
and when a wreck occurs and the smallest
mart Of the DESTROYED ship is picked up the
first remark IS: If it could only speak
In this strain the good ship Bonanza has
left an autobiography An accomplished
English lady. Mrs. Wise. Of East London,
wife Of the captain of the Nudge. has writ
ter II. placing the vessel IN the first per
son.
Poor Specimens Of ConSulS.
The exDerfance with the harbor authort-
ties at East London was not rs favorable
as could be wished by the captain and he
found that American Consul w. II. Fuller
did not show a disposition to lend the as
sistance which would naturally be ex-
pected Of such an official by ship master
whose vessel was a wreck. In speaking
OF this experience Mrs. StetsOn said: Al
ter we went ashore in the Nudge, Consul
Fuller appeared and wanted the little
steamer 10 go fishing with party or
friends. Capt Stetson Informed him OF
our distress and demanded the consuTs
assistance and the use OF the Nudge for
the afternoon. Mr.. Fuller finally consent
ed. hut objected TO disappointing his
friends. With the Nudge the captain and
party were taken aboard the Bonanza.
but the consul aud friends Immediately
left for tho fishing cruise. leaving the cap
tain 10 get ashore as best he might, and
rendering no further aid
Consul Fuller is a member OF the har-
hOr board. but when requested by the
captain he simply declined 10 hold an In
vestisation OF the cause OF the wreck. but