The Daily Alaska empire., 1927-12-20
JUNEAUITES
 TELL ABOUT
 BOAT WRECK

Words of praise for Capt. Joe Livingston of the Northwestern and Capt. Magnus Hanson of the Explorer were spoken by tha pas. sengers who started north from Seattle more than a week ago on the Northwestern and who final. ly arrived in Juneau aboard IL Alameda.
 A short but complete story of the wreck of the Northwestern was told by Capt. J. Y. Davis. local gasboat captain, who was returning north on the steamer from business trip to the States and who was the last passenger to leave the steamer.
 'I retired at about a. m. on December II, at which time d strong northeast wind was blow. ing and dense snow was falling. The Northwestern was proceeding slowly and blowing her whistle at short intervals. Shortly before 3 a. m. we grounded on Cars Nudge and at once we were callef and told to dress quietly and stand by.
 Life Boat Out
 "As soon as it was fairly ligh. life boat was sent ashore with a line to report if safs lanains with passengers could be made. The Northwestern was laying broadside, about 175 or 2aJ fatn- oms from shore. She was on 9 sandy bottom strewn with bould- CTS, while between her and the shore drift logs were floating about; this fact, and the rough weather, making attempts to reach shore dangerous
 ''It was not long before all the ships boats were launched anu tied in the lee of the steamer ready for use. They were pro- tected from smashing against the boat by mattress lenders, while rope ladders and safety lines were ready for an emergency. Explorer Arrives , At midday the Explorer ar rived at the scene and under the excellent guiding of her Captain Magnus Hanson, reached our lee side and took off all the passen- gers and a number of the crew. as well as baggage and mail. remained aboard the ship until the Canadian Lighthouse Tender Esteban came along side and toos ! off more of the crew, baggage and mail.
 '"The Explorer returned from Campbell River as soon as pos sible to stand by the wreck. Tfe Esteban anchored about 300 fath- oms off the wreck and sent her boat off for two trips, while No f boat of the Northwestern made one trip.
 Praise
 Capt Jock Livingston and g number of officers, about 20 in all, remained with the ship. He and his men deserve unlimited praise for their excellent manage ment of difficult situation. and it will be long time before any of us forget the expert seaman ship and daring ability of Capt. Magnus Hanson and his crew.
 "The St. Faith, steam tug, sent kout a radio that she was coming to give aid, shortly after the l Northwestern struck. but did not show up, although it wired from close by and said it could not come in because of the weather while three gasboats from Camp bell appeared but were forced back.
 No Excitement
 There was not trace of ex- citement on the ship. Food was i distributed on deck. The lights did not go out until daybreak aud the auxiliary plant for radio pow CT was above the water line, five i feet below s-.e main deck, and was working continuously.
 Several persons have reportel the Northwestern to have been { ] or miles off her course, but in my opinion this could not have been possible. In approachiDg Cape Nudge strong easterly tide drift is always encountered, and the power of the drift varies. The