Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-07-26
c. F. FELT BOOKED
COLUMBIA BERTH
At Last Moment He and Son
Abandoned Trip on III
Fated Steamer.
TELLS OF SAN PEDRO'S CARGO
Huge Timber on Deck When She
Rammed the Big Passenger Boat
To the Bottom.

George f. Felt of the Felt Lumber
company with his son Harold, having
Just returned from Portland, is con-
graduating himself on his very narrow
escape from n probable wetting IL not
desperate chance of being drowned.
While in Portland Mr.. Felt and his
son determined to take n run down
to San Francisco and return by water
and accordingly called at the steam
ship offices for the purpose of ascertain
ing date of sailing and securing state
rooms. 1t so happened that he called
on the Pacific Coast Line and there
arranged for passage on the Columbia.
The agent stated that she was In ex-
cellent condition, having been thorough
ly overhauled and repaired from her
recent trouble. The photograph OF the
boat, as it hung on the wall OF the
Office promised q very enjoyable trip.
Owing to the Discrimination of Harold TO
going down by water, fearing q very
severe spell OF sea sickness. which
amounted to a very decided stand on
his part, the date was cancelled.
From the office of the steamship Mr..
Felt called on several lumber mills
at Portland, among them being the
Eastern &c Western Lumber company.
one of the largest concerns there. As
he sat talking with the manager, Mr..
Ransom, the captain of the San Pedro.
came into the office to see about loading
his boat for San Francisco market.
Mr.. Ransom wanted him to take
timber with other cargo, measuring
something like 20X20 and 100 feet long;
he claimed that he could not carry II
without displacing his cabin and rail,
and Mr.. Felt was invited out 10 pass
Judgment on the matter; the compro-
mise was to unload the timber In the
water at San Francisco as the captain
could not get It on the docks. 1t would
seem that II was this very load that
caused the terrible disaster to so many
persons and SO much property.
NO LUMBER REDUCTION
The mills are all full to the guards
and are unable to see their way out
this year Of catching UP with back or
ders, says Mr.. Felt. When question of
reduced prices on lumber was men,
toned they just laughed" notwith-
standing the reports TO the contrary In
the local market.
STRANDED WRECKS.
Mr.. Felt was much surprised at find
ing one or more sailing vessels costing
in the neighborhood OF 81 900 on the
beach, where they will remain until the
wind and tide shake them 10 pieces
and the remains go bounding away to
Japan and other coasts; the surprise
mentioned was in the inability OF eN-
perlenced men to move the vessels
short of enormous expense--more than
the ship was worth. There is a chance
for some bright minds of Utah 70 de-
wise means whereby beached boats
can be rescued for at least sufficient TO
pay the expenses and then some.
1t Is claimed, says Mr.. Felt, that the
lefty about completed by the govern
ment has been the cause OF this trouble
by having created current not marked
on the charts ana therefore unknown
by the captains until too late to get
out of the way. The government issued
now charts. or caused them to be is
sued. but it Will take long time before
the seafaring men viii aceustom them
selves to the change OF current. Whcth-
er the release of the stranded boats
could be accomplished by balloon mag
netlcal, steam or electricel force up-
pears 10 remain an unsOlYed problem.