Douglas Island news., 1900-08-29
WRECK OF THE CUTCH.
4 NEWS REPORTER VISITS THE SCENE AND
 NOTES A FEW THINGS.

NOTES FEW THINGS.
 When the steamer City of Topeka ar rived in this port Saturday noon with the report that the British steamer Dutch was a wreck on a reef of rocks near the head of Douglas Island, and that her valuable cargo was being thrown overheard in the hopes of light ing her so that she might be hauled of from her dangerous position, it ere, ated considerable excitement in this usually quiet town.
 Quite number evidently thought it afforded a good opportunity to lay in a stock of miscellaneous stuff for future consumption. The channel was report ed full of floating boxes, baled hay and other articles too numerous to mention. Small craft was in demand, and being harnessed to favoring breezes, several were soon scudding toward the scene. R. R. Hubbard was the first to get his clearance papers. He gathered up a -nA of blankets and box of crackers and created such a dust in flying up the channel that the street sprinkler had to be brought out to wet down the bay. Others followed. Some in quick succession, and others, more deliberate ly. The News, feeling that it owed it as a duty to its readers, resolved to send representative to the wreck to Investigate
 A party was quickly organized, con sisting of Postmaster William Stubbins, Charlie Baldwin, Ned Powers and consumptive looking printer who was to keep his eyes unfoIded and his ears well balanced that he might unfold tale when the proper time arrived.
 Postmaster Stubbins, by general con- sent was recognized as leader. He had been over the bar in a pair of gum boots 'steen years ago and knew all about the devious wiudings of the channel. Alex Smallwood's sail boat was secured and provisioned for 24- hours voyage. Wharfuger Shepard kindly permitted tbe placing of the sail in the warehouse until such time as it was needed, giving the key to the printer, with the injunction that when he entered the building be speak kind word to the dog within. At Il o'clock D. m. the expedition was ready to em- bark. Commander Stubbins and the printer proceeded to get the sail. As directed, few words of purely per sOnaI and confidential nature were ad- dressed to the dog. No attention, ap- parently, was paid to the courtesy, un- til the printer started out. Then the canine approached stealthily and gent Iy but firmly closed his teeth on his leg and gave the grip of past master. The printer responded with the grand Railing sign of distress. The dog had evidently been there before, recognized the sign, and the incident closed with an apology from the dog.
 At Il o'clock the boat was pushed off from the dock and the journey began. Not even a semblance of breeze stir red the water and the oars were forced into play, but it was far from play for the individuals who manipulated them. However, the tide was favorable, and the lights of Douglas gradually grew dim in the distance. Commander Stub bins peered over the stern of the boat and joyfully declared that there was a wake following us and he reckoned we were making about F knots an hour. He said if there was log handy he could tell exactly. The rest of the crew were interested in the wake. One, less timid than his mates, spoke up and asked if any one ever knew of wake where there there was nothing to drink. Simultaneously three men dove under seat and moment afterward emerged, each with firm grasp on the ships ba- rometer. It was eagerly examined by