Williams news., 1904-05-28
Going to Alaska
SY NELLIE J. DODGE

In speaking of the storm, many would ask. "Were you not afraid?" It was not question of fear with us then, but how could we endure the next throw the vessel would give us, for our physical strength had given out, and bruised and sore, we began to feel resigned to our fate, for nearly ali hope of reaching shore had been abandoned.
 Although all cling to life, there were times when it would have been a relief if the boat had gone down; then our agony would have been over. The distress of the men who had left their wives and chil- dren behind was particularly sad.
 After drifting about two hundred miles cut of our course and many days overdue, the captain under took to pat the ship right. No one who was a passenger at that time will ever forget that awful moment when at 12 o'clock, midnight, he gave the signal for the engines to steam full speed ahead
 He had previously sent word around what he was going to do, and gave orders that if the boat began going to pieces for us to cling to what wreckage We could and not try to launch the life boats, as they would be swamped in such sea. So it was with despair that we waited for him to put his orders into effect. When they came the awful crash that followed can never be described. The intense dark ness, noise of the storm and angry waves as they swept over the ship. the smashing of everything that was breakable, the tearing of the tables and chairs from their sock cts, made such confusion that for the moment we forgot where we were. Many who had not braced themselves for the ordeal were se- verely injured, as were some of those who tried to protect them selves. The women fared badly, for though they were held and pro- tected by their husbands, they were knocked around like rubber balls.
 After trying for half an hour to get the ship right and not succeed ing, the captain rung for the en- zines to be shut down, as the water was coming in everywhere. Just twenty-four hours after that he made second attempt-this time succeeding. One hour after this the boat rode on more quietly, and nearly all fell asleep for the first time in many days.
 hCtl we dWOhC lllC hCAG ing the sky was clear, with bright sunshine, and in the distance lay the shore of the land we sought, with snow clad mountains glisten- ing in the sun. Although the sea was still rough, we had made many miles during those few hours. It ' was almost impossible to believe there had been such a transforma- ton.
 There were some amusing feat ures connected with our stormy voyage, which helped to cheer us a little. One man more hardy than the rest amused himself during the whole trip by fishing from the stern of the boat: of course he could not stand nor sit at his task, and most of the time he was rolling around the deck, but still clung tenaciously to his fish line. Needless to say he caught nothing, although we all hoped and prayed he might, to help out the meager stock of provisions left. This man was known on the trail as the lone fisherman
 It was Imaginable. too, to see some of the men from below who were allowed to come on deck to eat their meals when it became unbear- able down there. Sitting in row, they would try to steady their tin plates and cups so as to eat even a little, and as they could not do so, l |. IL l ,l