The Washington herald., 1911-07-16

could ever have been a time. an,
S-S tHa'' too' within century, whel
thr region III question was ~ wilC
ana uhciVlllMd rs is Central Africa
As much romance surround, fine disrovor,
ana settlement Of many parts of our countr p,
as Is dSsOCIatCd with the voyages of COIum
Dus' and there is probably nothing in ON
history more iascln lting than the story o.
the great achievement which gave us that
magnificent domain which i. represented to
day by the States Of Oregon, Washington anC
Idaho.
1T was in the year 1857 that a number Of
merchants IN Boston determined to establish
a trade IN furs with the natives on the north
west coast.
They had read Captain Cooks journal OF
ms thlrd voyage, and felt that there would
b" rlch harvest in such an enterprise. Ac.
CnrdIngly they bought and fitted out the shin
and 81 feet long
~ consort provided for her in the
Washington, sIoop of 30 TONS which was
I" cruise among the inlets and islands of the
coast and collect furs
Captain John Kendrck was made master
OF the, Columbia, and Captain Robert Gray
was chosen to command the sluoD 4 good
supply OF hardware was taken to he ex-
changed Tor turs, as also many different kinds
OF trlnkrts to please the Indians.
On the Both of September 1877, the two
vessels sailed out OF Boston harbor The
owners instructed the COMMANDERS to treat
the Indians kindly and trade fairly with
them. What skins they obtained were to be
taken to Canton and exchanged for teas
which were to be brought back to Boston
They had Il good run to the Cape Verde
Islands, but soon aferward encountered
heavy seas and severe gales.
On April 4, 1888, they rounded Cape Horn
and entered on the Pacific, but they had lost
pcndentIv the rest of the way.
In June the slOOp caught the northeast
trade wind, and on August > sighted the
coast of New Albion, near Cape Mcndocino.
The vOyagers Cruisvd slowly along the coast
and by the camp fires at night concluded
thai there was large Indian population
When near Cape Lookout, they found n
good harbor, and anchored half a mile off
from shore. Some Indians came out in canoes
and seemed friendly.
Next day nine men went ashore in boat
The captains boy Marcos, black fellow
who had shipped at st. Iago, was carrying
grass to the boat, and had stuck his cutlass
in the sand.
4 native seized it and ran off with it
Marcos followed, but the Indians crowded
around and stabbed him to death with their
knives.
The other men were next attacked. and
they made for the boat, firing their pistols as
they rcsT,utrd They got into the boat and
pushed off, chased by a number of canoes.
As they ncarcd the sOOp, she DISCHARGED
some swivel shot and the Indians scattered.
The sloop then continued the voyage north,
and on August fG, 17SS, reached Nootka
ny. She was hauled up on the ways for
craving, and preparations were made to col
ect furs.
a week later the Columbia came into the
Ound. She had encountered terrific gales and
Ter crew were worn out and sick with
Curvy.
1t was decided that the crews of both
hips should spend the winter in Friendly
'Oyc, Nootka Sound. A house was built,
much game was killed and iron was worked
nto chisels, which were in great demand
mong the Indians.
In the month of May, 1899, the Washing
on started on a cruise for furs, and secured
many sea otter skins The Columbia was
ngton returned, Captain Kendrick decided to
y on cruise in her himself, while Gray
hould take the Columbia to the Sandwich
stands, get provisions, and then go to China
nd dispose of the skins.
The Columbia sailed on July 30 and spent
avcraI weeks at the Hawaiian Islands The
Dung Crown Prince Alto was consigned to
aptain Gray's care for the journey to Bos-
IN, which he wished to make.
The ship had a good run to China and
rived at WhampOa Roads on November 10. l
was an unfavorable season for trade, and {
nr skins were sold at a sacrifice. Then the
zip was repaired and made ready to take '
rgO of teas. !
Captain Kondricll reached the Macao on t
,nuary 90, 1870, with sails and rigging near. c
gone. The Washington was anchored and a
II" captain decided to wait there and dispose :
his skins.
The Columbia SAILED on her homcward vov t
e on February -, and reached Boston on S
Ugust TO- 1890, having sailed fifty thou. [
nd miles, and being the first American p
Ip to, carry the Stars and Stripes around h
q world. T.
No sooner had she discharged her cargo t.
an, she was thoroughly ovcrhauIed and S
ted out for a second expedition. Captain o
ny was to be in command, and he was in. Il
rqctcd to 90 TO the Northwest again, build A
sIoop during the winter, and 20 to China, d
possible, to sell the furs. C
The Columbia left Boston on the 2Sth of al