The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-01
CONCERNING THE nevada.
MANAGER INQUIRE MAKES 4 STATE
MENr TO THE PUBLIC.
Steamer Was in Good Condition
and Perfectly SeawOrthy When

She Left This Port for the North.
Since the terrible calamity which befen
all on board the steamer Clara Nevada
on the night OF February ). the seyerest
ana most reckless kind or csGsure has
been hurled by misinformed and preJu-
diced people against the unfortunate Of
iicers and crew OF that vessel The con-
dillon OF the boilers has also been mis-
represented and a strong effort made 10
create a wrong impression 10 the gem
erai seaworthiGess Of the Clara Nevada.
/ feel taat under the circumstances I
can no longer remain silent while the
honored names or brave and true men are
being SO fouiiy traduced. The vicious at
tacks directed against tried and competent
officers, whose lives were sacrificed while
al their posts or duty, is without warrant
or excuse The records OF tn. officers
who manned the Inflated steamer Indicate
beyond question that in their respective
positions they were men OF marked abil-
ity. sober and thoroughly reliable.
In the security OF safety IL Is easy to
assail the bravery ana competency OF
men VINO are battling against the crueiest
KIND or weather elements. But had these
same cowaroly deIractors stood upon that
steamers deck when the storm was at its
worst. their faces would have bIanched
with fear and their plea for deliverance
would have WED with the roar of the
waves in It's outcry.
To one acquainted with the Northern
Alaskan waters. II Is not to be wondered
at that the Clara Nevada and her pas
sengers met such cruel fate. For hours
tremendous storm had ragged and a gale
blew at the rate OF nearly 100 miles an
hour. The residents OF Seward City saw
five miles distant steamer battling with
the waves. They crowded to the waters
edge TO witness destruction that to them
seemed inevitable. Their worst fears
were soon realized, for the Clara Nevada
was blown upon a reef OF rocks and soon
the vessel was enveloped In flames. Her
destruction was complete and there was
no help for the unfortunates on board.
All that remains of the vessel Is now rest
ing on Eldred rock in Lynn canal. near
Berners bay, which is positive evidence
that the rocks proved her destruction.
Lest the public Judgment might be
warped through unfair and untruthful
publications, l wish to state few facts
for their consideration.
First-Prior TO sailing on her last trip
the most rigid inspection was made OF the
Clara Nevada by the United States local
inspectors of huils and boilers.
Second-A careful and thorough survey
Gin and Capt Burns. marine surveyors
who pronounced the steamer seaworthy
and well fitted 10 run in Southeastern
Alaskan waters.
Third--The Clara Nevada was insured
by one OF the most reliable COMPANIES at
IL per cent. less than any other steamer
running north which Is positive evidence
or their entire satisfaction as TO the Clara
Nevada's good condition.
tOurth-fna officers nd .rou, ~,
Clara Nevada were men OF pronounced
ability. Capt. &. II. Lewis was a careful
ana skiiiful navigator, who for twenty
years filled the capacity OF master for
some OF the largest vessels running on the
Pacific coast lie was brave and cautious.
and was generally recognized a thor
ough seaman.
tltth-Letters received from passengers
on the Clara Nevada indicate that the
steamer had battled with storms for sew
eral days. Other steamers which were in
the neighborhood or Lynn canal and sue
ceeded in reaching shelter. also testify 70
the severity OF the gale on the day the
Nevada was lost.
Under date OF February TO II. p. Nc
CURE, manager OF the company. G. r.
Beck. purssr OF the Clara Nevada writes
from Mary island as follows. This ts
Tuesday morning. We have Just cleared
from Mary island and will arrive a,
Nransel this evening. Laid UP at Bella
BELLA from Sunday night 1890 until Mon
day morning 80 owing to bad snow
storm and narrow channel Laid nm a,
Point simpson Monday at D. m and
left Tuesday morning at 400. waiting good
weather for crossing Dixon's entrance
capt. Lewis being very particular not TO
risk Geek load and the lives OF passen-
gers"
DR.. W. f.. Mulholand and his wife who
went north on the Clara Nevada. in writ
ing to a Seattle gentleman under date ~
February from Juneau. stated among
other .thirgs as follows: THE officers
were very gentienanly and kind / think
We have very safe and competen, crew.
All the Passengers praised the captain
piiot, mates and engineers as being com
petent and careful men. We had
Pheasant trip up Notwithstanding tina, we
anchored most every night on account of
fog and had weather"
Prior 10 her departure on her las. tfio
the boilers Of the Clara Nevada were
thoroughly inspected by The United States
local board % steamboat inspectors OF this
port THO records OF the boilers Of
the cara Nevada we're procured from the
Fulton Iron Works In San Francisco
On inspecting the boilers the inspector
requested that the boilers should be
stripped Of the covering. Consisting Of As
our. and all the seams. rivets and fur
naces exposed. They then thoroughly
made Internal examination and found the
b7her n Al condition. The only altera-
ton CT repairs made was caused from a
stay boi; IN bottom Of back connection
This stay bolt vas covered by a soft
patch. The Inspector ordered the soft
patch taken OF aud replaced by hard
patch and new say bolt Then the n.y.
dToststic pressure was applied and The
boilers found 20 be IN a-st-ciass condition
The valves were then 80. boilers erpptEei
and another thorough internal examina-
tioa made and everything found satis-
faciory. All the steam pipe was thor
oughly overhauied and alt detected plr.e
r placed by new. Her condenser and air
and circulating pumps We're thoroughly
overaauled and put into good con-
ditiCn. The Inspectors also required us
TO put in additional steam pumps and in
spiratfYs and donkey boiler