Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1909-05-29
COLUMBIA WRECKED
ALL LIVES SAVED FROM The
ALASKA BOUND STEAMER.
Mail Steamer Dora Took Survivors of
Columbia After Narrowing Battle
With Waves, 1000 Miles to Seward
Passengers Tell Many Stories of Suf-
fering and Privation.

A cable dispatch from Seward, Alas
ka, says that the mail steamer Dora has
arrived there with the 1874 survivors of
the wrecked ship Columbia near Uni
max pass. The survivors tell tale of
suffering and heroism seldom exceeded.
The Dora is a small vessel, with ac-
commodations for sc passengers, and
she fairly bulged with her load of 240
human beings. They we're piled in
everywhere, sleeping in lifeboats, in the
hold, in chain lockers, cabin-all over
Thus had they come 1000 miles from
the scene of the loss of the Columbia.
Following the grounding of the ves-
sci in binding snowstorm, eight miles
east of Unimak pass, on the night of
April 80, the experiences of the passen-
gers and crew of the Columbia were
narrowing in the extreme.
There was no wind, but a terrific
surf was raging from storm of the
previous night. On the vessel were SO
Italians, 95 Japanese and As Americans
and Scandinavians.
All, including the Japanese, were
passive and obedient in the face of dan
ger, save the Italians, who in panic
raved and prayed. A boat was lowered
and the Italians, including their bosses,
poured in. The Italians attempted to
seize two more boats, but were re-
strained at the point of guns.
At daylight the feasibility of a surf
landing was established and boats were
given to the Italians, who, permitted to
depart, rowed eight miles to Scotch
Cape lighthouse. Returning, two days
later, for provisions, they were again
compelled with revolvers to take only
food and to refrain from looting.
Two former life-saving service men
Christ Christopherson and Ernest An
derson, insisted they be allowed to pro
coed for shore alone in a diminutive
skiff. They succeeded in establishing
lifeline to the shore.
Discriminating by means of the large
fshboats, following the lifeline, occu
pied "a hours. d. Thrasher, the ship
doctor, worked continuously revivini
the men capsized in the icy waters, Of
whom there were several. Many wer'
nearly drowned, and it was in the re
suscitation of these that the japanese
showed fine spirit. All the boats wer'
smashed but one.
On the shore was one old hut, SKI
This, with tents, made from tarpaulin
afforded the only shelter, and fires wer'
built from gathered driftwood. Pro
visions were taken ashore over tn
breech line the second day.
Only one woman, the Australian wifi
of Mate Cameron, was with the party
Suffer Fearful Privation.
From Scotch Cape lighthouse, owe
eight miles of rocky ravine, through
deep snowdrifts and dashing torren, la.
the path to safety. Over this the ship
wrecked took their way, while the re
naming boat was employed in carrying
provisions. New hardships confronte'
the party, many of whom were alread,
on the verge of utter exhaustion. TIL
girl collapsed under the unaccustome'
privations. Only her low slippers ha'
been saved, and they were filed wit
Ice ana SNOW. 10 save nef 1eet, VI
} slippers were removed and her stocking
r cut from the freezing limbs. Two of tn
, men furnished socks from their ow
, feet and one gave his shoes to the SUI
) fering woman, who was carried in blar
D kets by men who were themselve
hardly able to crawl.
Arrived at the lighthouse, the sui
ferers were kindly treated by the light
house men.
On the morning of May 2 a storI
caused the final abandonment of tn
wrecked Columbia. The same shi
burned to the waters edge.
The main steamer Dora appeared o
the morning of May II. Owing to ba
' weather the taking of the survivor
y aboard occupied day. The Columbi
survivors are now chartered in Sewar,