Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-03-04
Disaster to the Queen,


abreast of the Tillamook light, fire was
in her upper saloon. The
startling situation was Immediately |
communicated to the commander,
Capt. Cousins, who rushed from his
room clad only in his night garments
and for four hours directed efforts OF
crew and passengers to save life and
ship from destruction.
The first OF these endcavors was only
partially successful, for fourteen out
of the 2lS human beings imperiled
lost their lives by water or fire. Many
were asleep when the alarm was given,
and quite a number had to be wax
ened by violent measures. Ten of the
victims were members of the crew and
four passengers. One OF these was
Miss Anna Maud Steiner, OF Gle Elum.
Mrs. E. Adams, OF Dawson, died OF ex-
posture. d. E. Newberg, OF Texas, and
H. Buckley, residence unknown, were
the remaining victims. Mrs. C. J.
Sumner. of Boston, lost her clothing
and sos, being forced to flee from her
stateroom in night clothes. Several
of the boats were capsized by the seas,
but the small loss OF life from that
cause is attributable to the fact that
all were equipped with life-preservers
which kept them aaoat while rescuers
were at work gathering them into
boats.
Mrs. John C. Percival, of this city,
and her two young daughters. Marjorie
and Lorraine, had thrilling expsr-
fence. They were half an hour in the
water. Mrs. P. hold to her children
till relief came. But that did not end
their sufferings. They were compelled
to sit in the boat for hours, in their
wet garments, until the steamers
whistle bid them come aboard. Their
escape seems almost miraculous, and
the rescue of all and final safety Of
the ship was owing to the splendid dis
cipline of the crew and the GOODNESS
and courage of Capt. Cousins.
The fire originated in one OF two
unoccupied staterooms, and is sup
posed to have been caused by crossed
wires charged with electricity. It was
At first determined to run the vessel
into the Columbia, but the bar was 80
rough that alternative was abandoned
and she pursued her way northward
while the battle continued for mastery
with tho raging element on board,
which finally proved successful. The
fight was heroically conducted. The
ship continued on her way without
regard to the unusual experience che
was going through, and after it was
over, pursued her way to the Straits
and finally docked at Seattle under
her own steam. She had, however,
another reminder off Cape Flsttery that
she was under some malign influence,
by bolt of lightning striking the ship,
shaking her so powerfully that the pas
sengers thought the boilers had ex.
ploded. .....
The Queen left San francisco on
the 25th ult. and arrived at Seattle
Monday. This was her 5O5th trip.
She never has been what may be called
." lucky" boat. In 1886 she had se.
rious boiler explosion at Nanaimo.
and several men were severely scalded.
In 1883, she had to be beached at Port
Hartford, CAL, loosened cargo causing
vessel to fill with water; passengers
saved, but cargo ruined. In 1899,
Nov. %, she ran on the Farallones,
and narrowly missed Seal Rock, at the
Cliff House, before the fog cleared. In
1903, May Sd, she ran down the Brit
ish lumber steamer Robert Adamsou,
on Puget Sound, damaging both yes.
sells; the latter having to be beached.
Mrs. Percival, like the remainder Of
the passengers rescued from the cap
sized boat, 10 enthusiastic in praise of
Capt. Cousins. She says they were
not scantly clad when placed in the
boat, but that every effort was made
for their comfort % we'll a. safety.
Another victim is reported from the
dreadful results of exposure, besides
Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Jones, who died
in Seattle, Wednesday.
THERE is quite . kick in Congress
over granting aid for testing appliances
for aerial navigation, and is reminds
one of the witty spasm of incredibly
which swept over Congress when