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 mile off little Naked Island, fifty miles down the Sound About lO:30 o'clock in tue evening the engine stopped and it was while making the necessary investigation and repairs that the tragedy occurred. From thos @ aboard the launch it is reported that the engine back fred, 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 southeast wind blowing, with good big sea a running. Attempts were made to keep the Ham, mond's head up into the wind, and at the same time the diugy was put over but ln the excitement she was capsized almost as quickly as she touched the water. The boat was again hauled aboard and relauched, but then it was found she had no oars, so J. J. Beetles split he sidleiights and used them for paddles and beaded away for Fred LileSreen's house on Naked Island with a View of securing assistance. Whiie this was taking place those aboard had Inf 1Ipl | if eer Cater, and had jumped into the water supporting themselves against the side of the launch by ropes. In the heavy sea 1t was frightfui fight for life, and with the kno Hiedge that they were on lee shore, and with a wicked chain Ot rocks between them and the land, their position was deperate in the extreme. However, Providence seemed to guide and protect them and their craft Tor 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 a struggle in the heavy head sea and with only tin paddles for power. He made 1t though. only to find no one at home, but found dory on the beach in which he imme- dlateiy returned to the help of his mates, but who had reached the beach on his return. They hollarad to him that all had been saved, but at daylight Friday morning it was found sad mistake had been made, for on eXamIn the wrecked Hammond the discovery was made of the body of Engineer Cater with his knee wed ged 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 a distress sig nal was hoisted, and later in the day the schooner Brighton came through the passage, as the result of tie 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 8.30 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,OOO. and was owned by the Great Northern Development Go 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, widow and two children He was a member of tHG Masonin Eraforp;txz o,1 ;I ,..s.,-