The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-31
Broils Steak to Perfection.
THE END OF AN OLD TIMER.


Something OF the History OF the Old
Henry Buck, Burned Wednesday.
As sturdiIy as they have battled with TIE
capr1cious waves OF the ocean for the last
forty-four years. did the weather-beaten
timbers OF the good old ship Henry Buck
hgh. against the destroying flames that
were klndied in her hold Wednesday after
room. Condemned as a hulk. worn cut and
worthless. she has been lying OF Duwaua Sd
head for the past week, her only crew be-
ing band OF silent crows who solesnnly
rested on her ancient RIBS.
II the old gray-haired crows could tel the
story OF the ship in which they nested, OF
the mutinous crews In irons. the crazy cap
tain who Jumped overheard. ard the many
thrilling escapes from snipwreck and dis
aster. many young bird who has rot
learned that truth Is stranger than fiction
would dub him an antique liar. Severthe-
less, the Buck has such a history, in COM
mon with all old ships which were on the
coast in early days.
Tae Henry Buck was built in Searsport.
Me-. In ISS-. by John Carver. The material
used was oak and yellow pine with iron
and copper fastenings- Capt F. j. Burns
remembers seeing her on this coast as early
as 1s90. when she was considered one OF the
fastest and most serviceable boats on the
coast To use sailors term, she was
smart" and could give cards and spades
20 most OF the sailing vessels out here at
that time. Those were riotous times ana
the Buck generally turned Up in port wiki
the majority OF her crew IN irons. though
the memories OF Seattle's old timers have
not held the details in any particular in
stance.
Nine years ago. IN 1851. the Buck began
TO show alarming signs Of declining years
and the following story OF a trip made at
that time is told by ]. W. Gregory. her sec
ond mate. who IS now fireman on the light
house tender Columbine:
The Buck was generally a very easy
boat at sea, but she was beginning TO wear
out and had an uncomfortable habit OF
spr.nglng leak under very slight provo
cation. We had been al Portland and We're
sailing across the bar bound for San Diego.
When we got about twenty miles outside
q leak was discovered with seven feet OF
water In the hold. and al hands were set
70 work on the pumps. These broke down
and after patching them up We were IN
able to do more with them than keep the
water at an even level. When we had got
ten down the coast to San Diego an at
tempt was mada TO cross the bar at low
tide and the ship, which seemed possessed
OF the very devil, got stuck fast, and q
heavy wind coming up the seams
were opened and the water began TO
gain rapidly. With the coming Of high tide
we managed 10 get into the harbor. The
rext calamity that befell US was the steer
ing gear getting out OF order. and we driet-
ed on the beach. being left az low tide with
a list OF about - degrees and half full Of
water. We turned TO and patched her up
the best we could and doated hsr out The
tug Relief. now on the Columbia river, was
in the harbor and she steamed up to ask
II we needed any aid. We said we dida't
then but might before morning. He agreed
10 wait over night and watch Us in Ease CT
need When morning came the captain OF
the tug presented Capt. Brennan, OF the
Buck, with a bill for $3.50. He wanted that
for waiting over night He didn't get ii. ="
About FIVE years ago Norwegian cap
tain named Horrysr was IN charge OF the
Buck and created a mild sensation by
jumping over her railing one dark night
while the ship was on her way from Quay
mas. Mexico. to Seattle. Whether the sui
eide was the result OF some unfortunate
affair. or simply the consequence Of a 100
jealous application &c the liquor bottle is
not known. though surnisc places the lat
ter In strong probability.
Some tine ago the Buck was purchased
as a hulk by the oregon Improvement
Company and was put in charge OF G. w.
Leighton. She has always been in the
merchant trade and Is known to all old
seamen on the coast as coal and lumber
vessel. A vast amount Of copper and iron
has been taken from her hull and every
thing that could be sold 70 advantage has
been stripped from her. Great difficulty
was experienced in burning her. as the
wood was SO soaked as 10 be almost fire.
rroof