The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-28
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unmana geable. Had not the tug Sea
Lion rushed TO the rescue with new
hawsers, the old ones having parted, II is
quite probable she would have drftei
ashore. Without further accident she got
under way for Tacoma at O'CLOCK
Just as the Strathnevis was leaving Port
Townsend a deputy United States mar
shall arrived from Seattle and Ioeled the
vessel in behalf Of the management OF the
rescuing steamer Mineola. An important
point in connection with this matter IS
now under discussion between the inter-
ested parties relatIva to the disposition or
the salvage when recovered. The Mineola
is chartered by the month 10 the Pacitic
Improvement Company, which pays all eN-
psnses and reaps the profits OF ner Voy-
ages. The company claims salvage as part
of the net earnings, alleging that the de-
lay and time. consumed in returning from
sea is part of the time for which the char
terers pay the owners. The latter, While
admitting these contentious, oplne tnat
had the Mineola met with loss or disaster
while so ngaged, which IS universally
conceded by mariners 10 be dangerous 10
vessel Ike the Mineola, they. the owners
and not the charterers. would nave hau 10
suffer loss. and that too, in the face OF
the fact that the insurance policy would
have been invaidated by such hazardous
work The gist of this controversy leaked
out here, bur the main points viii be de-
termined in San Francisco between the IN
terested parties.
The abrupt departure of the Miowera
from the Strathnevis when only few
miles off the lee shore OF Destruction
island, IN the midst of bowling westerly
gale, continues a mystery. Capt cot
assured Capt. Patt.e that under no cir
cumstances would he abandon either pas
sengers or crew, and would take them OH
wAen all hopes of saving the disabled
steamer were abandoned. Further inquiry
today elected the Information from Capt
Pattie that the M!owera's lights remained
in full view four hours after the hawsers
parted. The vessel, though acting some
what peculiarly, added the captain,
seemed 10 he steaming ahead under
slow bell. Usually. when accidents of that
nature occurred before the Miowera
would circle around and stand close by
the disabled craft. Capt. Stott knew that
the rocky coast of Washington was tif-
teen niles distant. and in few hours
before the gale then blowing the vessel
would drift ashore and he dashed 10
pieces. Then a binding squat, blended
with snow and rain. enVeloped both yes
sells for an hour. When it had cleared
away il is estimated the Strathnevls
dr.fted four mics, and. though anxious
eyes from masthead rigging peered
through powerful marine glasses, no signs
of the MioweTa could be seen. Capt. Pat
tie contends that it is reasonable TO sup
pose, after losing the Strathnevis in such
a dangerous locality, the M.owera would
have run TO Tatoosh Island, which would
require two hours steaming, ana tele-
graph for assistance
The general maritime opinion now pre-
walls that one of the haWsers became
entangled in the Miowera's propeller,
partly If not wholly disabling her She
would probably then set sufficient sail
TO enable her TO beat of shore against
the gale. But since then. last Monday
night, a dozen or more sailing vessels
have passed the same locality and ar
rived in port without seeing anything
of her. No amount of argument can con-
vince Capt. Pattie or his officers that the
Miowera, after losing the Strathnevis.
and knowing of the danger that threaten
ed a drifting ship. would deliberately
abandon her to her fate and sail for Hon
olulu.
Much anxiety is felt for news concern
ing Purser Mcdonald, Third officer Balm
and the three japanese seamen who start
ed ashore on Destruction island. The
chances are more than even of their not
reaching shore, seamen who are familiar
with the coast say. Seas dash over the
rocks and UP against the perpendicular
cliffs with terrible force. Officers of the
Strathnevis say they watched the boat be-
ing bufcted about through the seas until
il disappeared behin3 Destruction ISL
and. II was six hons later in the day
before the .s.ra;t.nevis got under way and
If the party landed they had abundance
Of time to have reached the lighthouse
and si&naled their safe arrival. If they
landed on the island. on account of the
winters storms II may he several weeks
before they are heard from Should they
have reached the mainland they will be
in the midst Of rough and sparsely set
tied country.
Many of the Chinese and japanese pas
sengers left the Strathnevis today. prefer
ring to forfeit their tickets when they
learned the vessel would probably be re-
paired and sent back to the Orient. They
are superstitiously alarmed, and believe
strange fatality hangs over the ship.
The agent Of the vessel says needed re-
pairs viii he effected al once and the car
go. together with additional freight. be re-
loaded and the vessel dispatched to the
Orient al once 1t is thought now before
the propeller can be procured or cast the
original pattern Will have to he sent here
from Glasgow, Scotland, the vessels home
port.
The British steamer Danube is still in
the North Pacific ocean hunting for the
Strathnevs. The steamer Mineola. which
brought the steamer into port. sailed for
san Francisco this morning in charge OF
the chief officer capt. Pilsbury remain
ing behind 10 attend to libeling the vessel.