The San Francisco call., 1898-07-20

in Boring Sea, the fleet would make for cape Amacaya, then to Nuniwak Isl and, to Hoopers Bay, to St. Michael
 The fleet had a fair weather passage to Shelakoff Straits and the captains were figuring on a safe and speedy pas- sage. On June 28 it began to blow, and the vessels ran into Katmai Bay and anchored. At D. m. the entire fleet broke away from the anchorage and began to drift about. All had steam up and vain attempt was made to keep head on to the wind, which at D. m. had increased to strong gale from the northeast.
 About this time the river steamers began to go ashore. The Robert Kerr and Western Star drifted across the bay The Kerr was light and she luck fly went over a reef and into smooth water. The Western Stars machinery broke down and Captain Hodgson sig naled for assistance. but the Resolute ana Holyoke were busy with the St. Michael and Tacoma, while the South Coast was saving the Mary F. Graf from going on the rocks. The barges left to themselves dirfted on the beach. InoSe that were coal laden went to pieces. while the lumber laden were got off little the worse for the accident.
 The Western Star went over one ledge of rocks, and while she was in l. tempt was made to repair her machin- cry. While this was being done a big sea carried her onto another reef and she went to pieces.
 In the meantime all the other vessels were being buffeted about in terrible manner, and in order to save them from total destruction they had to be I. beached under bluff on the north side of the bay. Later, when the gale had somewhat abated, the St Michael, F. K: Gustin, D. R. Campbell, Mary E. Graf, Victoria, Pilgrim and Seattle were got into the Katmai River, while the J. H. Light, Tacoma, Victoria and Oil City were able to proceed to a safe anchorage in Coal Bay.
 When the disabled steamers were safely in Katmai River the South Coast proceeded to Kodiak. There she secured all the anchors and chains that were to spare in the place-extra SUD- plies, as the stocks on board were run ming low-and lumber to repair the battered steamers On July the re- pairs had been made, preventers had been put on the strained hog chains and frightened up, the machinery over hauled and everything was ready for another start when the Kodiak sailed
 The following extracts are from diary kept by c. E. Cahill chief stew ard of the Empire Line steamer Seat tie Gone of the Moran feet, and sent via Kodiak to The Call. After de- scribing the wooding and coaling of the fleet at Everett and Comax, Mir. Cahill goes on to say: We left Point Ru- pert at a. m., June '. Crossing Queen Charlotte Sound there was heavy ground swell and the steamers worked considerably in consequence. The Ia coma broke her steam pipe and we had to tow her into Alexander Bay, where repairs were made. Left Alexander Bay on June g, and next day passed a stranded stern-wheel steamer She was we'll up on the beach and abandoned She did not belong to our fleet, but was evidently bound for the Yukon. We could not make out her name. June II arrived at Mary Island, where Captain F. Nelson of the Pilgrim was paid off and put ashore.
 June 16-Took on water from a mountain stream at Port Orford. All the fleet getting ready, as the real work outside to face the music. From my experience at sea I don't think we'll make St. Michael unless we have re- markedly fine weather.
 "June 19-The Seattle broke her hog chain and we had to put into Yakatat for repairs. Captain Gilmore of the Victoria and Captain E. E. Stanford of tle MdTy IT, 6Tdll QulC ana went ashore. The mates, whose names I could not ascertain, took their places. I asked our fleet officer why Captains Gilmore and Stanford left, and he said, I guess they've got cold feet
 June 28-Passing through Shelakoff Straits. Fresh breeze in the morning gradually increasing to a gale Put into half-sheltered bay (KatmaD about thirty miles this side of Coal Harbor. At p. m., anchored up close to the beach Wind increased to a hurricane. The F. K. Gustin dragged her anchor and fouled the Seattle. The two steamers drifted down on the D. R. Campbell. the latter's bow cutting through the Seattle's guard and smash ing in the sides of her house, also the