The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-28
RESCUEDFROM WRECK
Steamer Chilkat Safely Landed
in the Harbor.
FLoaTED FROM ALASKAN ROCKS
For Eighteen DAYS the Crew Canpod
on the Beach and at Night Fought
With Fierce Wolves.

with two holes In her slz-5oard side.
crudeiy patched. considerable water IA
her hold. and with machinery rusty and
cabin wateF-soaked. the steamer 1zilEsE'
which went on the rocks near kitchisan.
Alaska, on September y AMI remained
partly submerged for eighteen days.
steamed slowly into port yesterday aitef-
noon about O'Clock, and tied up atCsines
dock. There we're bat few people On The
dock when the unfortunate steamer mace
fast, bat there was enough 70 extend
hearty welcome 10 the saipWTecked crew
pilot Gillespie vas at the wheel. and
Capt. McAIIep, who stuck 70 the ship un-
III she was safely hoaied. Was on TIE
bridge. The nreInsn were covered Hlth
SCOT and looked faded from their ardnous
work and exposure on the beach near
Kitchikan. II took the steamer i've days
20 make the trip from tae latter place to
this port
How tho Chilkat struck the Rocks.
The steamer vent ashore AZ los a. m.
September =, In dense fog on rocky
shore about a mile and half tlis side
OF K!tchikan. Not only was taere fog,
but a strong wind was blowing from the
sontheast and rain was falling IN torrents:
IN fact. 1t was one OF the worst nights
ever experienced by the crew. when the
steamer struck the bow Has elevated
slightly. the Jagged rocks tearing the keel
TO pieces. Water rushed into the cabin
and engine room, and in a few seconds
chaos reigned. Fortunately there were
only three passengers on the boat besides
the crew. and they we're easily taken of
and landed on the beach. The liIebOats
were sent back 10 She steamer. and all
svailable canvas. provisions and imple-
ments with which TO erect tents. etc. were
thrown In and taken ashore. Work vas
prosecuted slowly on account Of he In
tense darkness and the fox, and the ter
rife downDouT of rain. Every one was vet
20 the skin bat the stranded seamen
did good work. and made things as com
Portable as could De expected under the
circumstances force of men remained
on the steamer - close down the matches
and otherwise secure the boat
The steamer Fioated.
The next day the captain and nine Of the
crew boarded the city OF Topeka and
came on TO this city for appliances 70
foat the steamer. and when they re-
turned 20 kitchikan on October 70 they
found the steamer In the same position as
when they left. Work was slow on ac-
count - severe weather, and II took seven
days 10 cut down and prepare cedar logs
and get them IN position 20 raise the boat.
but on the evening Of October Il she was
foated The day following the Wiispa
came along. pumped her out and towef
her TO kitchikan. where she WAS placed
on n San1 HFAEH. II was NtSthkSfEN t4ldE
there were two large holes in The star
board side. the keel Was badly corn. the
stefn damaged and tho boat generally
strained. Crude repairs were made and a
large pump placed on the after deck. and
the boat again fioated. She made consid-
erabie water. bat this could he easily han
died with the pumps. aud the trip o this
port was begun on the afternoon ~ octo-
her 81. 4 stop was made At Alert bay for
fresh water. and the Journey resumed.
Campers Surrounded by Wolves.
During the time the crew vas camped
on the shore wolves were very trouble
some. 50 much 80 that IL became neccs-
sary 10 speak the revenue cutter Corwin
and borrow - number NJ rifles. Pilot Gil
iepple said the wolves came around IN
droves, and made the night hideous. lie
says the crew had but little sleep during
the eighteen nights spent on tho rocky
beach.
In the hold OF The Chllkat were stored
$500 cases OF salmon. which was more or
less damaged hy water. This salmon well
be unioaded today. and the steamer places
on the marine WAYS Al Moran's yard tor
thorough overhaulng.