The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-07-22
ARGONAUTS IN PERIL.
Steamer Alfred ]. Beach Sinks in
Heavy Sea.
CHICAGO PASSENGERS ADRIFT.

Besides the Alfred j. Beach Four Other
Vessels Were Wrecked During a Violent
storm on the Alaskan Coast-Passen-
gers Escape from Death-The Alfred j..
Beach Was Built by Chicago Parties,
who Lose Their Outfits.
Seattle, Wash. July 22.-The river
steamer Alfred j. Beach. owned and
built by a company Of Chieagoans for
service on the Yukon river, was sunk
in a storm on the north Pacific, $50
miles off the southeastern coast OF
Alaska, early on the morning Of July
L. Her thin sides were crushed in by
the mighty ocean swell. Twenty-four
Chicago men and women took to the
boats, and after drifting for a time
managed 10 reach another river boat
that was also being lowed north. 1t
was a miracle that no lives were lost.
The tale of the disaster was brought
to this city by the steam schooner LAX
me, which arrived from ST. Michaels
with thirty gold-diggers. bringing $780,
600 in their purses. Besides the Alfred
j. Beach, the river steamer w. II. Ev-
ans, Argo No. ., Constantine and In
ternational are total wrecks, either at
the bottom Of the north Pacific or on
the rocky beaches of the islands Of
southeastern Alaska. The Lakme called
at Dutch Harbor on her way south, and
there learned of the disaster from the
destitute owners Of some Of the river
steamers.
Had a stormy Voyage.
The steamer NOVO with the two river
boats, Alfred j. Beach and w. II. Ev-
ans in tow, steamed out of the Seattle
harbor on June q. When off Cape
Flattery, a day later, the hawser broke
and the two steamers went adrift. They
were picked up with great difficulty
and brought into Port Angeles. Here
Captain Hanson resigned, not caring
to have the responsibility of taking the
steamer farther.
Captain Edget, an eastern navigator,
was placed in command, and on June
% the fleet started. This time it took
the inside route to Dixon's entrance.
When $50 miles out from Dixon's en-
trance, shortly before midnight on July
8, signals of distress began to come
from the Beach. which was the end OF
the tow. The sea was running very
high, but the captain of the Noyo re-
fused to stop until daylight. The
Beach was leaking rapidly, and every
wave that the Noyo pulled her through
cause her to settle farther in the water.
Thought They Were Lost.
Early on the morning of July 4 the
waves swept her main deck, carrying
off portions Of the deckhouse. There
were twenty-four men and women
cfo Of
not been answer and they thought they
were lost. BY 4 o'clock the condition Of
the boat was such that it threatened
to go down at any moment. 1t was then
that the passengers took to the boats.
The Noyo saw them leaving the steam
er and the pilot went out in charge of
a lifeboat to assist them. All were
landed on the w. II. Evans in safety.
BY this time the Beach had entirely
disappeared beneath the waves. The
run had been resumed but a few hours
when the Evans showed signs Of break
ing up. II was decided TO return with
her TO Dixon's entrance and beach her.
The run back took two days, and by
that time the Evans was all but a
wreck. She was beached in American
bay, near a small settlement called
Howkan.
In Desperate Circumstance.
The Noyo took aboard the passengers
Of the two steamers and as much bag
gage as was saved and started for st.
Michaels. The passengers on the river
steamers were in destitute circum-
stances but were determined TO pro-
coed. They hope for some lucky
chance to get up the Yukon. The Noyo
vas to leave Dutch Harbor for st.
Michaels on July 13.
The Alfred ]. Beach was the property
Of the Alaska Mutual Transportation
and Mining association Of Chicago.
They put up the money to build the
vessel from the savings Of years. and il
is hard to say what they will do with
out her. Their outfits were on board
and will prove total loss. She was
l2S feet long and q feet beam. She
was fitted with electric lights, steam