The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-28

With cargo OF dying horses and mules
and fifty-five empty stalls. the United
States transport Victoria. Capt. Panton.
returned to this port late last night. hav-
ing been forced by an unprecedented
stress OF weather of Cape Fattery TO
turn back from her voyage TO the Philip
pines. OF the 40 horses and mules taken
by the Victoria from this port on No
vember q. ffty-nve were literally pound
ed to death in their stalls during the
storm, and the remaining animals are 50
badly bruised that officers Of the vessel
believe that many cannot be saved
The Victoria steamed into port shortly
before midnight and dropped anchor on
Smith cove. Capt Michael. U. 8. A. and
Purser Edward lockwood came ashore in
a small boat and caught tie last car for
the city. Capt. Robinson was Immediately
notified OF the disaster which had over
taken the vessel. and arrangements were
made for tug TO bring the ship in to the
Arlington dock at o'clock this morning.
The Victoria sailed for the Philippines
from Arlington dock at l2:3o a. m. Novem-
Der g. The weather was cloudy. with a
strong breeze and heavy southerly swell.
As the Strait was neared a high and dam
gerous sea was encountered. and the ship
pitched and rolled heavily. shipping seas
fore and aft The stress OF weather in
creased as the Victoria advanced toward
the open ocean.
Waves Run Mountain High.
On the morning Of November "a the YES
sci was rounded to just outside the strait.
with her head to the wind AT o'clock
on the afternoon Of that day she was toss
ing on the crest of waves described In the
log as mountain high. and a strong gale
blew thick with binding mist. The trans
port labored heavily during the night and
early next morning steamed away to the
west. but began TO roll so dangerously that
her head was again brought around to the
wind.
This day was but repetition of the
prece ing one. with the addition OF terrific
S4JA J. The rolling and pitching of the
h low began 10 have its effect on the
animals confined in their stalls. They had
been pounded rom side to side until they
were in State OF utter exhaustion Sew
erai died during the night and the next
morning, and the constant attention OF Vet
Urinary Surgeon Payne and the stock hands
seemed powerless to save them
Voyage Abandoned.
Under such circumstances IL was de-
termined. after consultation between
Capt. Mitchell and Capt Panton, to turn
about and head the ship for Seattle. Dur
ing the trip III several more of the ami
mails died. making the number of deaths
fifty-ilve in all. The bodies OF the ami
mails were weighted and thrown over
board as fast SIS death came.
Purscr Lockwood. when seen at .he
Rainier Grand hotel early this morning,
stated that never In the thir.y-six voy.
ages he has made across the North Pa
cidc ocean has he seen such weather as
was encountered by the Victoria.
The furthest point westward from the
cape reached during the voyage was 300
miles While the storm was at it's heigh.
oil bags were kept in constant use fore and
aft and everything possible done to ease the
motion OF the ship.
No Damage to Vessel.
Aside from the loss Of the animals no
other damage was done. the Victoria prov
ing TO be splentsdly seaworthy.
The cargo OF horses and mules taken from
Seattle ny the Victoria was one OF the most
valuable ever shipped 10 the Philippines by
eighty-t've Of the finest blooded draft AMI
mails intended for artillery service. The
cavalry animals also were OF the best