The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-04-16
WATERPROOF WRECKS.

Survivors" of the wreck of the
steamship Indiana, which went aground
near Magdalena Bay, have been landed
in San Francisco by the cruiser Cali
fornia. No bedraggled and disgruntled
crowd of unfortunates were these, but
as gay and jubilant lot of people as
one might expect to see anywhere.
1.-THE wreck was a regular picnic, =
says one of them, and so it was. With
out even getting their feet wet, these
shipwrecked vOyagers were transferred
to the cruiser California with their be-
longings and treated with every cour-
tesy, showered with every attention
that rank and file of the navy could
provide. What is more, they reached
their destination about "a hours ahead
OF schedule time.
A wreck under such conditions should
be, indeed, pleasure and a rare one
at that. In the human breast, regard
less Of condition or state, is yearning
for adventure. Who has not read ro-
mantle stories of shipwreck and wished
not really. perhaps, but half uncon-
sciously that he might participate in
emprise of the sea?
Yet until recently, shipwrecks, in
reality, have been as disappointing by
comparison with fond anticipations as
stage life behind the footlights. Ro-
nance has been more or less marred
by loss of life and hardship. Even the
famous Columbia wreck which added
to our working vocabulary the wireless
signal &C O. d. was not entirely q
pleasant affair.
But now, at last, the Pacific Mail
has given us the real thing in wrecks
the painless, dangerless, waterproof
wreck Of the twentieth century. Why
did no one think of it before?
To the ocean traveller who suffers
either from ennui or NAL de mer during
the long journey abroad, there will now
be a spice of novelty. To the seeker
for adventure whose timid disposition
has prevented his gratifying it before
a new and delightful experience is
opened.
To all of the millions who have never
or lack of pportunity-here is a
chance.
There can be no manner of doubt
that the innovation introduced by the
Pacific Mail will be widely and ex
tensively initiated Doubtless it will
be improved upon in some instances,
for.the larger and Weather steamship
companies will certainly enter into
competition on the personally conduct
ed ShinWreck DrODOSitiOn
We may soon expect to see, instead
of mere shipwreck and rescue features
such as the Indiana's example pre-
scented, much more complicated and
elaborate affairs. -
Robinson Crusoe islands will doubt
less be established and equipped in diff
ferent parts of the Atlantic and Pa
cif1c oceans and even-if the fad be-
comes sufficiently popular-in the
Great Lakes. Anyone paying suffi :.
cient bonus can probably arrange to
occupy one of these islands in majestic
solitude or with trained and COM
petent Man Friday" Skin .wardrobes
can be provided by the wreck manage
ment and an attack by hostile natives
may, without difficulty. be arranged.
1t really seems as if there were
something new in human divertise-
ment. This picnic wreck idea is a
possibility that has thus far eluded
the minds of our most noted caterers
to human entertainment. Now that it
has been discovered, we may look for
astonishing and delightful results.