The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-10-19
SUNK In A
COLLISION
The Steamers T. J. Potter
and George W. Shaver
Meet Near Kalama.
THE SHAVER WENT DOWN
Potter Made a Big Hole In Her
Side and She Filled Very Soon
After the Accident.
PASSENGERS WERE SAVED
Disaster Was Due to the Heavy Fog
Which Prevailed. Causing the Sig
nails 10 BE Misunderstood.

The big slde-wheel steamer T. J. Pot
ter. plying between this city and Port
land. ran into and sank the STEAMER
George w. Shaver about o'clock yes
terday morning. The accident occurred
during a heavy fog. None OF the pas
sengers OF the sunken steamer was in
jured In any way.
The Potter was late in leaving Port
land Monday night, and II was II O'Clock
before she got under way. The fog was
very heavy on the river. and the steam
er's whistle was blown at short intervals
as a warning to other steamers. Captain
Turner was at the wheel and a lookout
was stationed forward.
when jus, above Martin island light.
a short distance from Kalama, the
whistle OF the steamer Shaver was
heard. The Potter was stopped until she
could be located. meantime whistllng for
the Shaver to pass TO starboard.
The Shaver answered the signal. and the
Po''er started ahead under slow bell.
The lookout made out tne shaver's light
and the Potter started ahead. Suddenly
the course OF the Shaver was changed
and she swung across the Potter's bows.
Captain Turner ordered the Potter's en-
gines reversed. but. before the side
wheeler came to a stop she had crashed
into the Shaver. her bow cutting into
~ latter steamer almost amidships.
The shock awakened all the passengers
on both steamers and for a while there
was CONSERVATION. Frightened passen-
gers rushed upon deck. anxiously lnqulr-
ing the cause OF the disturbance. but the
officers. who never once lost their self
possession, managed to calm them.
After striking. the Potter dropped
astern. and the Shaver rapidly filled.
Seeing that she was in danger OF sinking.
Captain turner ordered that the Potter
be made fast to the steamer. and the
passengers OF the Shaver were trans
ferred to the slde-wheeler, Small boats
were lowered, ready to pick up anyone
who might in the excitement jump over
board. but happily the passengers re-
malned on deck.
The Shaver settle0 lower and lower
In the water. and doubtless would have
sunk had she not carried large guam
tity OF lumber and wood. She was towed |
into shallow water by the Potter, where
sne was moored The Potter remained
with the Shaver until the Telephone
came along from Astoria, and the pas
sen-ers were transferred to the Phone, !
which was on her way to Portland.
The Shaver's passengers saved all !
the'~ personal effects, but much OF the
freight carried by ne steamer was
ruined, She now rests on the bottom. In
about Is feet Of water, She can easily be !
raised and repaired. at cost OF not
moro than siOOO The Potter was not in
jured in any way, and continued on her
run to Astoria. Captain Turner is OF the
opinion that, had the Potter been run
ming at fun speed, she wouiu have cut
the Shaver In twain.
The accident was undoubtedly caused |
by misunderstanding OIL signals, due
to the heavy fog which prevailed, Pilot
scammon was in charge of the Shaver
when the collision occurred.