The Alaska prospector., 1907-08-29
Launch Hammond Burns

schooner Brighton came into port Sat urday evening and brought the sad news of the loss by fire of the gasoline launch Hammond, and the drowning of Engineer O. V. Cater. The Captain told the PRopsECToR that the Hammond left Valdez Thursday afternoon bound to La rouche and everything went we'll until a mile off little Naked Island, fifty miles down the Sound. About 1O:3O o'clock in tue evening the engine stopped and it was while making the necessary investigation and repairs that the tragedy occurred. From those aboard the launch it is reported that the en ,ine back fired, exploding gaso- line which had leaked and was floating in the bilge water, and in less time than it takes to tell it the whole stern of the Hammond was ablaZe. At this time there was heavy southeas. wind blowing, with good big sea running. Attem pt s were made to keep the Ham. mond's head up into the wind, and at the sa me time the dingy was put over but in the excitement she was capslZed almost as quickly as she touched the water. The boat was again hauled aboard and relauched, but then 1t was found she had no oars, so J. J. Beetles split the sidlelights and used them for paddles and headed away for Fred. Lileyreen's house on Naked Island with view of securing assistance. Wblie this was taking place those aboard had put on life preservers, all except engin- ger Cater, and had jumped into the water supporting themselves against heavy sea it was frightful fight for life. and with the knowledge that they were on lee shore, and with wicked chain of rocks between them and the land, their position was deperate in the extreme. However, Providence seemed to guide and protect them and their craft for the Hammond was swept right over the rocks and up on the beach. All this time Beetles had been making heroic efforts to reach Lilegreen's house two miles away and it was struggle in the heavy head sea and with only tin paddles for power. He made it though, only to find no one at home, but found dory on the beach in which he imme
 diately returned to the help of his mates, but who had reached the beach on his return They hollared to him that all had been saved, but at daylight Friday morning it was found a sad mistake had been made, for on eXamln- the wrecked Hammond the discovery was made of the body of Engineer Cater with his knee wedged tightly in hole in the bottom of the craft. It was bad enough to be wrecked but this fact cast gloom of despondency over the men. At daylight distress sig nal was hoisted, and later ill the day the schooner Brighton came through the passage, as the result of the signals and the firing of guns, notice was at tracted with the result that she took the men off and brought them here, arriving at S:3O Saturday evening. The body of engineer Cater had been en- closed in rough coffin, and was also
 brought here being taken in charge of by Undertaken De MOss.
 In addition to Capt. F. w. Johnson and Enigneer Cater, there were on the Hammond, J. J. Beetles, Supt Page of the Knights Island Copper Mining Co.,, Martin Anderson, Axel Lund, and two
 workmen bound to Reynolds.
 The Hammond was about 10 tons, and cost originally about S3.O0O, and was owned by the Great Northern Development Co., and was under lease to Moore $ McCarty of Valdez.
 Engineer Cater was a resident of Chicago, and about 46 years of age He leaves to mourn his departure, a widow and two children He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and it was alsO cepnrthd that ha is an Odd Ealou