The herald., 1898-02-15
FIRST REAL
CALAMITY
To Overtake the Alaskan
ArgOnauts
THE STEAMER CLARA NEVADA
NO LONGER RUNNING ON THE
ARCTIC ROUTE
THE STEAMER CLARA NEVADA
The Vessel Burned and Every Soul on
Board Is Belieevd to Have
'Perished
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated PreSS SpeclaI wire
VICTORIA, B. c., Feb. 14.-(By Asso-
ciated Press) The steamer Islander
brings news that the steamer Clara Me-
vada of Seattle was burned in Lynn
canal, and forty men who were on board
are supposed to have perished.
The Nevada left Skaguay for Juneau
on February 5th, and when the Islander,
which arrived at Co,nax this morning,
reached Juneau the Nevada had not ar
rived there. The day that she should
have reached Juneau fire was seen on
is general that the flames were from a
burning steamer. Whether the passen-
gers ana crew reached land or whether
they perished is not known. 1t Is feared
that they met with death, as there has
been terrible wind and snow storms in
the north, and small boats could hardly
live. Captain Irving of the Islander re-
ports that the weather has been terrific
The Clara Nevada was formerly the
Hosler, which was built at Camden, N.
j., in 1872, for the United States coast
and geodetic survey service. Last sum-
mer she was condemned by the govern
ment. for the reason that she was out
of date, and was sold to the Pacific and
Alaska Transportation company, which
had her thoroughly overhauled before
placing her on the Alaska line She was
considered perfectly seaworthy
The Clara Nevada was commanded by
Captain c. B. Lewis and her crew con-
sisted of 2S men. The officers were:
Pilot Ed Kelly, First Officer Smith, En-
gineer David Reed, Purser Foster Beck
Steward O'Donnell and Clerk George
Rogers.
A NARROW ESCAPE
ASTORIA. Feb. 14.--But for the timely
discovery of a fire in the hold of the
Alaskan steamship Oregon, the vessel
might now be mass of raging flames
at the mercy of waves and wind.
The Oregon sailed from her dock in
this city at 1850 today, carrying some
600 passengers and as much freight as
1T was possible to place aboard The
steamer proceeded to the mouth of the
river without accident When lust
about to cross out smoke was discovered
coming from the bunkers, where 900
tons Of coal were stored. The alarm was
Immediately given, but it was some time
before the position of the blaze was as
certained.
Meanwhile the passengers had learned
of the fire, and for time there was con-
sternation. The steamer was 20 miles
from suitable berth. and as the terrible
possibilities of the situation dawned m
on the fortune seekers, the excitement
was intense. The officers of the Oregon
alone were cool and went among the
frightened passengers. assuring them
that the fire would be extinguished with
out damage to their property. The ex
citement then subsided and the crew was
better enabled to work at the bunkers
The f1re was at the bottom of the coal
and 1t was necessary to put back to port.
The steamer arrived at her dock at d.
M, and the work of unloading the coal
commenced. The fire was caused by
spontaneous combustion. The damage is
very slight, and the Oregon will sail again
tomorrow morning.
A WHACK AT CANADA
WASHINGTON Feb. Ex-senator
Hansbrough today offered the following
amendment to the house bill pending be-
fore the committee on public lands, ex-
tending the homestead laws and proyid-
ing for railroad right of way in Alaska,
That permission to enter goods under
bond or to place them in bonded ware
houses at the port of Wrangel in the
district of Alaska and to withdraw the
same for expectation to any place in
British Columbia or the Northwest Ter
ritOrV Qhal1 NOT hp nt tod
lamation by the president of the United
States that no exclusive privilege of
transportation through British Column
bia or the Northwest Territory goods
or passengers arriving from or destined
for other ports in Alaska has been or
will be granted to any person or corpo-
ration by the government of the Domin-
ion of Canada; and, further, that the
privilege has been duly accorded to re-
spOnsible persons or corporations oper-
ating transportation lines in British
Columbia or the northwest territory or
making direct connection with trans
portation lines in Alaska; and, further,
that the Dominion government has con-
sented to and is allowing the entry, free
of duty, of all miners outfits and a sup
ply of provisions and clothing, the whole
not exceeding in quantity $500 pounds, |
for each person proposing to engage in
mining in British Columbia or the
Northwest Territory; and, further, that
fishing vessels of the United States hav- |
ing authority under the laws of the |
United States to touch and trade at any
port or ports place or places in the Brit
sh dominiens of North America, shall |
have the privilege Of entering such port |
or ports place or places for the purpose
Of purchasing bait and all other supplies
and outfits in the same manner and un-
Ter the same regulations as may exist
here applicable to trading vessels of
the most favored nations and of tran
their catch to be transported in
bond through said dominion without
payment of duties, in the same manner