The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-01-12
WRECKED AND SANK
Steamer Protection Lost Of
Til1amook Rock.
ONLY ONE NAN WAS DROWNED
Survivors Picked Up by the British
Ship Galgate and Brought
to Astoria.

AsOria, Or, Jan. t.-Th0 steam
schooner Protection, from Seattle, with
a cargo Of coal for San Francisco, foun-
dered and sank off Tillamook rock on
the evening of December 81. But one
man was lost. and he lost his life in an
attempt to lower boat after it had
been determined to abandon the vessel.
The Protection, with full cargo of
coal. including heavy deckload, left
Seattle Thursday, December 20. at .
O'Clock. While the vessel was heavily
laeen. she made fair time, and at s
o'clock on the morning of December 80
was off Cape Flattery. During that
day the wind was light, but there was
heavy westerly swell that seemed to
strain the vessel, but it was not until
the morning Of the 3lst, when the
Protection encountered the southeast
gale that had been predicted on shore.
that she began to make more water
than usual. Chief Engineer George
Fl. Morse notified Captain Erickson
that it was necessary to use steam to
work the pumps, and the vessel was
partially slowed down to use the steam
on them. Captain Erickson then had
all the available men on board throw
the deckload overheard, but the water
kept gaining.
It was not until late that afternoon
that the necessity Of taking to the
boats became evident. and at the time
it was blowing southeast gale. When
Second Assistant Engineer Ed Benson
finally left the engine-room to run of
the last cocks the water was up to his
chin. Then captain Erickson called
all hands together and told them that
the boats were their only salvation.
He divided the entire crew of Is be-
tween himself and First Officer J. II.
Griffin, to 60 in the two boats.
In lowering one of the boats. First
Engineer Carver was knocked overheard
and sank almost Immediately. Assist
ance was impossible.
The boats were lowered, and. under
instructions from Captain Erickson,
both stood by the Protection for time,
until she was seen to take deep star
board list and get deep in the water at
the stern, but she was not seen to &C.
tually disappear. As near as can be
figured, this was about 80 miles off
Tillamook rock. This estimate of the
survivors. however, is very uncertain.
The boats soon separated, and neither
knew the whereabouts of the other,
and it was bitter night. New Years
morning broke with their boats tossing
in the face of almost certain death.
In the afternoon, 26 hours after leaving
the vessel. the boat of Captain Erick-
son sighted ship and headed towards
it. From the ship the boat was soon
sighted. and the occupants were picked
up and safely landed on board.
The first thing that Captain Erickson
did on going aboard was to tell the
master that his first officers boat was
in the neighborhood with seven men
aboard.
The resculng vessel proved to be the
British ship Galgate, from San Fran
cisco for the Columbia river. and as
soon as her master heard that there
was another boat of shipwrecked men
near by, he sent man aloft. who soon
reported them in sight and headed to-
ward the ship. The vessel was then
backed and filled, and awaited their
coming, and without an accident they
were taken on board.
What was done to them is best told
by the survivors. Without exception.
when asked about their experiences.
49,, e .cx &olJ - tho k;r1voes ~ Gon
tain Griffiths, of the Galgate. and his
officers and crew. After 26 hours in
the open boats they were almost dead
from cold and exposure. They were
stripped, rubbed, placed in warm cloth
ing and then given something warm to
drink and eat, and made as comfortable
as it was possible. They are now here.
being Hospitality entertained, but their
future movements has not been deter
mined upon. Not one 10 injured, and
all are in good health.
First Assistant Engineer Carver, who
was drowned, signed with the Protec-
ton in Seattle, and little 10 known of
him by the crew. except that he was an
English engineer, who but recently le-
covered his American papers.
The first thing that Captain Erickson
did upon reaching Astoria was to re-
port the circumstances Of the wreck to
the collector of the port and explain
that in the haste Of leaving the vessel
his papers were lost.
The Protection was steam schooner.
about 400 tons burden, and was en-
gagged in running between coast ports
and San Francisco by the ]. 8. Kim
ball Company.
Estimates for New Wsrships.
Washington, Jan. 5.--Secretary Long
has completed detailed estimates for
congress for the Is new warships he
recommended to be constructed in his
annual report. The figures are for
armo mont and armnr for al the ahip0.