The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1895-06-27
DOWN THE SNAKE
Scenes Witnessed From the Deck
of the Steamer Norma
DURING HER PERlL0US VOYAGE
DO Not Get Excited. Obey orders, and
Don't jump Overheard at
All Hazards "


between Huntington bridge and the
Seven Devils landing, to transport the
ores of that camp, after finding the
river not navigable and the scheme inn
practical, decided to attempt to take her
through the Weird canyon of the Snake
to the upper Columbia whore 1t could
be used in river traffic with advantage
to the owners Knowing that the par
ticulars of this adventurous trip would
be deeply interesting to the Signal read
ers, we here endeavor from the mis-
cellaneous and irregular letters of a
newspaper correspondent who was on
board. to give full particulars of the
voyage:
When Washington Irving wrote his
good book, astoria" describing the
trials and privations of John Jacob AS
tors pioneers of 1872 west OF the Rocky
mountains, he gave Snake river a pretty
rough reputation, and since that time
the river itself has managed to keep up
it's reputation, and that apparently
without half trying.
The movements of the Norma are told
by the correspondent as follows:
eve went aboard the Norma at $3.50
p. M. May &c. and finding that the boat
was ready for trial the captain de-
cided to run down as far as Eagle rocks
in order to see how she was working
after having laid idle so long So, at
p. m, the whistle announced to the
surroundings and the people Of Hunting
ton that the Norma stiu lived: a moment
later the big gong sounded. her engines
moved, and with colors flying the Nor
ma steamed slowly down the river. AS
soon as we rounded the first bend the
rough and rapid water which came in
sight told us that we were nearing
Whisky rapids and although her course
was kept true to the government chan
mel, when we were about three and "A
half miles below Huntington and within
mile of our proposed landing place
the boat touched sharp jutting point
which had not been blasted out. and
the pieces of floating plank told us we
had hole in her bottom. After landing
at the point where the government
scows Idaho and Oregon are laid up, "A
further examination of the boat show
ed broken rudder and some of the
wheel buckets slightly damaged.
During the night these things were
repaired and at o'clock on the follow
ing morning we dropped down to Gray's
Landing. running "Shoo Fly rapids"
Blacksmith bar" and bay Horse rap
Ids" without any trouble. and tied up
to allow MIR. Gray to remove such of his
property as he had accumulated on the
boat during his three years and nine
months residence on her while she was
laid IN.
AT 1915 n. M, on Saturday the 18th.
we left Gray's Landing and made fair
time for 20 miles. passing several beaut-
full fruit ranches on our way; when
nearly opposite the Trllby mine. and
while we were running alone I'm appnr-
emily safe water with not rifle to in.
dictate the presence of danger n sudden
shock was felt and n moment later the
report came to the wheel-house that
large hole was stove In her starboard
side. abreast her boiler. and three bulk
heads had filled with water
This rendered 1t necessary for us to
tie up at Sturgill bar. where 1t was
found that II would require n day or
two to repair the damage that had been
done.
This (Monday) morning Captain Gray
inform me he will be ready to move in
an hour, and this Is practically the
end of civilization, this will be sent
by courier to the nearest telegraph office.
We take a horse aboard here, who
will accompany us to the entrance of
Box canyon, and after watching us pass
over Copper-Creel Falls-provided we
pass-will return on horseback with a
further report of our progress
IF we meet with no mishaps passing
through the canyon we should reach
Lewiston before he can reach a tele-
graph office, but as all of our informa-
ton regarding the canyon is of n nature
to cause a good deal of apprehension, 1
thought IL wise to take this precau-
ton"
previous to this trip of the Norma
the only steamer that ever attempted
TO navigate Snake river from Hunting
ton to it's mouth was the Shoshone,
which was built at Old's ferry some
time in the SOS. and made short trips
up and down the river without profit
to her owners until 1870 when It was
decided to take her into the Columbia
river, and Captain Joe Myrick, present
general manager of the Conner creek
mine, was selected to undertake the
management OF the boat, but after an
inspection of the river he decided the
scheme was not feasible, and Captain
ST. r. Smith was selected for the trip.
and after no end of trouble, eak-downs
and smash-ups tied her up Just above
Copper Creek falls, which is about 90
miles below Huntington bridge. and de-
clined to proceed further. She laid there
under repairs about a year, when Cap
tain Bias. Miller was selected to furnish
the trip. and about two years from the