The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-09-26
MAROONED MEN BACK
in CITY
DAsTARDLY ACTION or LEELANAw
CAPTAIN MIGHT HAVE CAUSED
THEM TO BE IN A SERIOUS FIX,
BUT FOR An ACCIDENT.

tho wreck John Currier arrived In As.
toria yesterday at noon and last night
from Seattle, where they arrived on the
cutter Thetis on Tuesday. The China
men and Japs were sent to Portland
from Seattle, while q number OF the
men remained Ia that city. and the rest
will come 10 Astoria within a few days.
None Of the arrivals look any the
worse for their experience on desert
shore for over month. and few OF them
were even put out by the mishap. The
party had over 30 bags Of -four and
number OF eases Of salmon left when
they we're picked up by the government
boat.
The dastafdly aot Of the captain OF
the Lcelanaw 10 deserting the marooned
men on hearing Of their predicament, Is
the only bad feature Of the entire exper-
cncc, with the exception Of the loss to
the company owning the boat.
According to the reports Of mum.
bcr Of the men, the Leelanaw arrived at
the mouth OF the lagoon where the
wreck took place, on September 10, to
save tho rigging and cargo Of the ship.
On hearing from Captain Myrcheson Of
the John Currier that the boat had
broken up and that there was nothing
for salvage, the Leelanaw captain sailed
away for Nome, refusing 10 rescue the
marooned men from their perilous pre-.
dicament and possible danger OF starya.
ton.
The wreck Of the ship as described by
the men took place during heavy fog
Just at the beginning Of a heavy gale.
The ship was blown ashore and for
tunatcly landed on the Nelson Lagoon.
the only stretch Of sandy beach for
many miles. The boat struck during the
night and no effort was made to get
ashore until the break Of day,
AS soon MS 1t was light enough the
transfer from the ship to the shore
commenced. Six fishing boats and n
launch were saved along with big store
Of provisions, Sails we're made into
tents on the beach, as the huts OF the
Indians were miserable shelter for
the men. Everything was made as snug
as possible as there was no telling how
long they would have to remain.
Several men started out and with the
help Of Indians managed to let the out.
side world know of the wreck, with the
result that the Leelanaw was sent to
save the cargo Of salmon and any old
junk that would bring dollar The
boat arrived too late, however, as the
ship had entirely disappeared on Sep
tember 10. when the ship sailed for
Nome,
The men were greatly disappointed at
not being taken, but the Mccullough ar
rived the next day quite by accident and
shortly after they were taken to Un-
alaska, and transferred to the Thetis,
which brought them to Seattle The
captain OF the Thetis treated them with
every kindness, and even members Of
the cutters crew did everything possible
to make the men comfortable on the
trip.
The boat was met on its arrival at
Seattle by the superintendent and
hookkeeper of the Alaska Fishermen's
Packing Company, OF this city and, the
men were treated to hearty meal,
after which all who wanted their money
were paid off, Quite large number of
them, after being paid, made arrange.
ments to fish in the north for the com.
pany next season, showing that they
bore the utmost good will toward it.