Tillamook headlight., December 02, 1909, Image 2

TILLAMOOK HEADLIGHT, DECEMBER 2, 19C°
ARGO IS WRECKED
OFF THE BAR.
Goes Down Six Hours After
Pounding and Springing a
Leak on Tillamook Bar.
LIFE BOAT CAPSIZED IN SURF
Hard Struggle for Life—One Woman,
a Girl and a Member of the Life
Saving Crew Perish in Surf.
CREW ARE RESCUED
Oshkosh Pick Up One Boat—Persons on Other
Boat Land Safely on Lightship—Accounts of
of Wreck Given by ' those on the Argo.
!»
i
and i
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3uar
ft. to
of W
not I
•urtte
defeti
the i
••»Xi,
to-w
»uar
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WillH
the U
by th
tract
tbe jv
m.'ok
guani
mooli
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ni*
rat« o
after
Clangi
I
Renders Valuable Service.
Captain Thomas Latham, of the
Oshkosh, Charles Dean manager
and part owner of the Oshkosh, and
the crew did valuable service in as­
sisting the life saving crew when
the life boat capsized and in going
to sea at night and rescuing one of
the boats.
There were 26 all told on the Argo
when she left Astoria, 12 passengers
and 14 in the crew.
Argo Owned in Portland.
They and the crew of the Oshkosh
rendered valuable assistance when
the life boat came ashore upside
down in helping to save some ot
the lives of the life boat crew, who
were completely exhausted.
A Seaman’s Story.
E. Salmonson, one of the crew,
said they came in on the south
channel a nd struck on the bar. It
_‘f ebb tide and a
__ - half
was about
strong current was running out
from the bay. It was so strong
that the Argo could hardly buck it.
After she struck the bar the steam­
er bumped several times heavily
and a steam pipe bursting they lost
control of the vessel. The keel of
the vessel and a number of her
planks were wrenched off. The
pumps were soon put to work and
the crew and passengers went to
bailing out water. Sails were hoist­
ed and this took her off the bar to
deepwater, where she was anchored.
They threw overboard considerable
oil and coal from the deckload with
the hope of saving the vessel. Tw o
hours after she had struck the bar
she had four feet of water in her
engine room. The life saving crew-
arrived about an hour after she had
struck. The life saving boat was
stove in before she reached them.
When the lifeboat reached the Ar­
go, about eight passengers got into
her. As the boat could not carry
them four men came back to the ves­
sel, leaving four females in the
boat, when the life boat pulled off
and went to shore, and they expect­
ed she would come back and take
off the other passengers but they
failed to do so.
There was no ex­
citement on board and everybody
was cool. When they left the ves­
sel there was about five feet of
water in her. This was about eight
o’clock and she sank about a quart­
er past nine. They were about a
mile from the Argo when she sunk.
She partly tipped over and then
sunk. Two boats left the vessel,
one in charge of Captain Snyder and
the other in charge of Mate John­
son. The heavy current carried the
boats north, and atiout two miles
north of twin rocks they parted
company with the captain’s boat,
which was making for the shore.
The mate tried to overtake the cap­
tain and advise him not to try and
make land, but the boat disappear­
ed in the surf and the mate headed
our boat out to sea, w-here we were
picked up soon after twelve o’clock
by the Oshkosh. After which the
Oshkosh cruised up an4 dqwn the
coast but could find no trace of the
missing boat.
, cided that the men woula i.
having
t>e passengers;
m V HunUrT'I"
Holdridge, two be taken back to the shipW
|
1
v
Swedes, Howard
Woolfe. A.
E.
Millard and E. Salmonson. We
proceeded to drift and pull back
and forth until the Argo went down
at 9:30. After the boats were away
from the Argo the captain hollered
to the mate to go back and see if
there wasn’t an i Italian left on the
Argo. It
1. was
---- impossible for the
mate to do so t on account of the
-ind and it is presumed that
heavy wi.™
the Italian perished with the ill
________
fated
vessel. After we had drifted
and 1 , pulled back and forth until 12
o’clock when the Oshkosh came in
sight looking for survivors.
e
luckily had a lantern in our boat
which guided them to where we
were. We were hoisted on board, a
thankful set of ten people. The
captain’s boat at this writing has
not been heard of, or any of its crew.
The presumption is that he has in
undertaking to beach his boat, gone
down. Now all praise is due the
lifesaving crew who so nobly- acted
and also especially to the Oshkosh
crew whose boat was lying at Gari­
baldi. At the time the Argo struck
the crew of the Oshkosh immediat­
ely went down to the life saving
station and helped to land the first
load from the lifeboat.' Then going
to Garibaldi they took their boat
and came out over the bar at night
in a hard southwester and succeed­
ed in picking up mate Johnson’s
life-boat, with ten of the crew. They
deserve all the credit that can be
given them. The Oshkosh cruised
all night looking for any survivors
of the boat and came back to Tilla­
mook at 10:30 a. m. today, bringing
the rescued crew and its passengers.
The Argo was owned by the Port­
land A Tillamook Transportation
Company, which is composed en­
tirely of business men. The stock­
holders in the concern are: D.
Franklyn, L. P. Branstetter, William
Cornfoot, Joseph Shaver and A. E.
1 Howard. The steamer was valued
at $45.000. Mr. Franklyn is secretary
and treasurer of the company'.
A moat unfortunate accident be­ heavy surf, the boat was caught by
About a year ago the company
fell the steamer Argo on Friday a big comber, raising the stern of the was organized and the Argo placed
when Captain Snyder attempted to boat clear in the air and she turned in regular commission between
crosa in on a half ebb tide, which somersault, pitching in the breaker«, Portland and Tillamook in the
resulted in the loss of that vessel bottom up. The crew and the pas­ freight and passenger trade, in op­
and the loss of valuable lives. He, sengers were all plunged into the position to the Sue H. Elmore,
evidently, was not aware that after foaming surf and treacherous under owned by Samuel Elmore, of Astoria.
a strong southwest gale and a fierce tow, when a struggle for dear life She was well patronized by the
freshet from the bay, that the south ensued for over half an hour. Capt. shippers at both ends of the line,
channel is greatly changed or en­ Farley, notwithstanding that one and it is said the venture proved a
tirely obliterated.
This was the arm was broken, helped Mrs. King to big paying investment She came
condition of affairs when Captain shore, and as Agnes Hunter, aged 11 nearer maintaining a regular sche­
Snyder attempted to come in last years, floated towards the shore she dule than any boat ever placed on
Friday on the same channel he had was caught by George Eastman and one of the short runs down the
w. C. King Relates What
been coining in on since he assumed carried to shore. She was thought coast. It was seldom she was de­
He Experienced.
command of the Argo.
That is to be dead, but after three hours of layed on account of the severitytif
W. C. King, one of the business
where his want of knowledge and work upon her she was resusitated. the weather.
men of this city, who was returning
proper calculation brought about All the life saving crew managed to
The Argo was built at Ballard,
from a visit to the east with his
the catastropne and the premature reach shore with the exception of Wash., in 1898, and was at 112 tons
death by drowning of four persons. Henry Wickman, whose lifeless net register, but capable of handing
wife, said:
We left down the river from Port­
As the Argo approached the bar body was seen drifting out to sea, close to 200 tons. She was 117.5 feet
there was misgivings at the life sav­ but too far out to be reached by hie long, 21.8 feet beam and 9.6 feet
land on Tuesday evening about 5
ing station whether she would be comrades. Nellie Hunter and Mrs. depth of hold. Captain Snyder was
p. m., Nov. 23rd, with a heavy load
able to make it at that stage of the Catherine Holdredge were drowned among the most popular skippers
and were obliged to leave many
tide and with a fierce tide rushing and their bodies carried to sea. running out of Portland.
tons of freight on the dock. On
out to sea at the time. But a few Next morning her lifelsss body was
reaching Astoria in the morning no
minutes after what they were fearful found on the beach. I)r. Hawk hap­ ACCOUNTS BY RESCUED
attempt was made to leave out over
about was taking place, for those pened to tie on the beach when the
the Columbia bar as it was consid­
on shore saw danger ahead as the accident occurred, and he rendered 1
On Thursday
ered too rough,
Mate Johnson’s Story.
Argo headed for the bar. From 15 valuable assistance in setting Capt.
o
’clock, a trip
morning,
about
4
Mate John A. Johnson, who had
feet of water the vessel was suddenly Farley’s arin and attending to the been with the Argo about two
was made down to the bar and
cast onto the bar with only 8 feet injuries of the others. The life sav­ months, said that when the Argo
again the attempt was abandoned
and sometimes 7 feet of water under ing crew was all in and with their struck on the bar ahe pounded
on account of rough water. Friday
her. She was drawing about 9 feet old, crippled boat could do nothing heavily several times, which smash-
morning, about 5 a. m., a trip was
of water and had 170 tous of freight to help the anxious passengers and I ed her * keel and tore out several
made to the bar and the ship again
on board.
Her position became crew who were waiting patiently timbers. There was a strong cur­
taken back to wait (as the captain
more critical as the captain pointed for them as they felt the Argo was rent at the time and the tide was
said) for an hour, and they finally
her bow into the south spit, where sinking gradually to her watery half ebb. The Argo began to fill
left out about 6 a.m. We had 12
Naturally, the life saving
abe held fast fora time. Freeing her­ grave.
A Passenger’s Story.
passengers aboard, two ladies, two
with water and a steam pipe burst­
self from that position the Argo crew is disgusted with the equip­ ing, the vessel was entirely at the
L. A. Holdredge said the steam­ children and eight men. Being
pounded heavily on the bar, wrench­ ment furnished the station, the life mercy of the waves. They succeed­ er left Astoria at 6 o’clock on the kept in such close confinement on
ing off the false keel and opening boat proving itself to be a life killer ed in hoisting the sails and the ves­ morning of the 27th, having about the ship we became quite well
the seams of the vessel the water instead of a life saver.
sel succeeded in getting off the bar a dozen passengers, together with acquainted with one another. Sing­
commenced to pour in. and the dis­ Argo Abandoned and Sinks. and when in deep water the captain, an overload of freight. She drew 8 ing and music on the guitar and
abling of the engines and the burst­
During all this time things began cast anchor in the open sea. While feet 10 inches of water lying at the amusements in general w-ere in­
ing of a steam pipe, which envelop­
The failure of the hoisting the sail Martin Olson was dock at Astoria. After crossing dulged in. The little girls, Nellie
ed the vessel in steam,left the Argo to grow worse.
life
boat
to
come
to
their assistance washed overboard and was drown­ the Columbia bar in safety we made and Agnes Hunter, aged 11 [and 6
helpless iq>on a rough bar and in
again
caused
surprise.
Darkness ed. The vessel listed to one side the trip to Tillamook bar without years, were especial favorites with
a fierce ebh tills. It was a wonder
came
on
and
the
situation
looked and they changed some of the deck trouble. On entering the bar the all. Their mother had died a short
that she did not go to pieces when
load to right the ship. They threw first notice I had of trouble was the time before at Napa, Cal. Their
gloomy
for
those
on
the
ill-fated
she pofinded on ths bar. She would
overboard considerable of the deck scraping df the bottom of the steam­ father was bringing them to Tilla­
vessel.
It
was
known
that
the
Osh
­
have done so had she remained
load, including oil and coal. They er on the rock. The ship struck mook to leave them in the care of
there much longer, which would kosh was in the bay, but she could used the steam pumpo for a short bottom at least six times when the
his sister, Mrs. Frank Wheeler.
not
come
to
their
assistance
until
have resulted in the drowning of
time and the steam giving out they chief engineer ran up and notified
After crossing out to sea many
the
tide
would
permit
at
midnight.
most of the passengers and crew.
Soon after eight o’clock Captain took to bailing and hand pumps. the captain that his starboard en­ became seasick, as there was a
Sails were set and the Argo was re­
The water kept on increasing. It gine waa broken. The captain re­ heavy swell running, Mrs. L. A.
lieved from her perilous position Snyder saw that the time had arriv was about three o’clock when they plied that he would go it with one
Holdredge (who was coming with
ed
to
abandon
the
Argo,
for
it
was
and anchored in deep water. During
struck, and soon after eight they engine, which he undertook to do. her husband to take up work with
unsafe
to
remain
on
her
longer.
the hoisting of the sails the first
took to the boats, and about nine He managed to get inside the bar the railroad contractors), Mrs. W.
fatality occurred from the doomed Two life boats were lowered, Captain o’clock they saw the Argo take a but the one engine was not strong
Synder taking command of one and
C. King and the two girls remained
ship. Martin Olson, one of the crew,
slight list and then sink. The life enough to buck the tide out of the in their staterooms until the Tilla­
Mate
Johnson
the
other.
When
was washed overboard and drown­
alxiiit a mile from the Argo and at saving crew came out and took off bay at that time ofday. The vessel mook bar was reached, which was
ed. There was three feet of water ,
9.15 o'clock they saw the Argo take the women. A number of men drifted down onto the bar and there about 3 p.m. The ship waa direct­
in the hold, nnd having MY) cases of
a alight list and disappear, and as boarded her as well, but they had was pounding until the steam pipe ed straight in. and when well inside
coal oil and bags of coal on her
she did so the lights on the ship to return to the Argo as the life broke, also smashing the planking she struck with terrific force, which
deck, these were thrown overboard
went out. Soon after the boats were boat had been stove in on her way of the vessel to some extent She seamed to wrench every seam in her
to lighten the vessel. There was no
parted, the mate thinking the captain out. He had ten passengers in his stayed there for several minutes and several planks were soon seen
excitement on board and everybody
had made for shore. He kept in the boat, and after he had pulled away and then drifted over the bar, then floating away which had been torn
olicyed orders, although it wus a
vicinity of the wreck, and it was from the sinking vessel an Italian out to sea. The captain anchored from her bottom. My wife asked
strenuous time for the passengers
well that he did so, for soon after appeared on the vessel when he the Argo about a mile and a half what had happened, and I; told her
and crew trying to keep the vessel
twelve o’clock the Oshkosh was at- said he had as many as he could west of the twin rocks in the open we had struck on the bar and we
afloat by pumping and bailing.
attracted by the light in the boat carry and told him to go to the sea outside of the Tillamook bar. must prepare for the water. I got
Life Boat Capsiced in Surf. and rescuaed them. The Oshkosh other side of the vessel and get into The ship immediately began to a life preserver out from under the
on to -------
her. W
remained out all night und part of the captain’a boat. The captain had take water. By the united efforts bunk and fastened it --------
Captain Farley and the life saving (
the next morning in search of the pulled off, but backed his boat and of the crew and passengers she was then managed to get a few pieces
crew had been watching the Argo
missing tioat. but failing to find it the Italian got on the tioat. There l kept afloat until 8:30. f
Meanwhile of her clothing on under the life
ns she came in, and directly they |
the Oshkosh returned to the bay at was a strong current to the north I the life saving crew made their ap­ preserver. I got the other preserver
saw the prodicament the Argo was
10:30 on Suturday morning. The and both boats drifted in that di­ pearance and took eight passengers, out and tried to fasted it onto my-
in the life boat was launched and ,
first news of the loss of the Argo rection, although they made every , two ladies, two girls and four men, self, but found some of the straps
the gallant crew was pulling with ,
was when Captain Latham reported effort to keep in the vicinity of the pulling awayjrom the boat they were gone from it, but managed to
might and main to eave life on the (
wreck. They kept behind the cap found they were overloaded and get it tied on. The ship struck five
on passing Garibaldi :
ill-fated ship, little dreaming that
“The Argo is gone and one boat tain's boat, the mate thinking that they pulled back to the ehip and let or six times, and was often on her
their boat would also be wrecked ,
the captain was making for the the men on board the Argo again, | side. I heard the engineer report to
missing.”
•
with the loss of life. The life boat
The Oshkosh came straight to the shore, he headed his boat out to They started for shore and under­ the captain that one of the engines
wae old nnil M
' ii'<«'il the bar (
city, and a large number of persona sea. Soon after twelve o’clock they took to beach the boat In doing was disabled. A steam pipe burst-
a rent was made acroaa her bottom,
were on the dock to see who had saw the Oshkosh come out of Tills ■ I so they loet one of the life boat ed about the third time the ship
allowing the water to come in, and j
been saved with Mate Johnson. tnook Bay, and they attracted her , crew, the captain of the .life boat struck. The roaring of the steam
in thia disabled condition the boat
They were W C. King. George Hun­ attention with a lantern. They were crew had his arm broken, Mrs.
reached the sinking vessel. After) ger, L. A. Holdrege. A. K. Millard. about three miles north of the twin Catherine Holdredge waa drowned and the breakers made it impossi­
ble to talk to anyone for some time.
taking the four females and four
Howard Woolfe, K. Salmonson. rocks when picked up. The Oshkosh and a daughter of Mr. Hunter. Mrs. The ship swung into the trough of
men on board the boat pulled away,
Holland the colored cook and two cruised about all night with the King and one of Mr. Hunter’s the sea and was entirely bevond
only to return onload the men as the
hope of finding the missing boat daughters being saved. The crew the control of the ship's crew'and
Swedes, who were passengers.
boat was in such a crippled condi­
but failing to do ao returned into on board the Argo meanwhile were
tion the lives of all on board were Captain Makes the Lightship. Tillamook Bay and come right on anxiously looking for the life saving soon drifted rapidly, sinking, out
to the north of the whistling buoy
in jeopardy Mra. W C King. Mrs.
A great deal of anxiety was felt to Tillamook City. Those in the crew, pulling Jand pumping with
About this time the life saving
t'dtheMne ^Hoidredgv and Mitaca for the aafety of Captain Snyder’» mate's beat were L. A. Holdredge might and main to keep the ship
N<filieau<F*Agtie* Hunter war* the tioat all day Saturday, for it was whose wife was drowned in the life afloat. At 8:30 they made a rush boat was seen approaching. Soon
with much difficulty, the two
femalgpaatangera and it was W. C feared that ahe had gone into the l>oat accident.
George Hunter, for the boats; they lowered the
King. L. A- 'Ii'ldredgs. Gee Hun­ breakers and they had all perished whose daughter was drowned in the boats and the captain ordered the women and two girls and four men,
ter (huabanua and father of the Late in the day. however, the good life boat accident W. C. King. mate to fallow, which the mate pro­ Mr. King. Mr. Holdridge, Mr. Hun­
abort) and C.haa. Higley, who want new* reached this city that the tug Howard Woolfe. A. E. Millard, E. ceeded to do until the captain got so ter and Mr Higley were got into
back on th* a hip, although tha latter Wallula reported at Aatona that the Salmonson. Holland the negro cook close to the surf that the mate be­ »he boat and started for shore.
did ao reluctantly. The strong ebb captain’a boat had reached Light- »nd two Swede pasaengera Great came satisfied he was going to try Soon, however, it waa seen that the
tide prevented the life boat from •hip No. 10 it 4 o'clock Saturday praise is£ due Captain Tom Latham and beach his boat, and mate John boat waa rapidly filling Wlth wat„
creating the bar and Captain Far- morning, where the load was safely of the Oekoeh. and Chas. Dean, eon »aid he did not wish to commit the boat having become disabled in
lay attempted to make a landing on landed. There were 11 persona in part owner of that reasel in going suicide, that he could go there if he son« way. either by plunging
the beach just north of Haystack th* boat, and from the time they to the Argo's assistance and croaa- wished, but that he would not The against the ship in getting the pas
Kock In attempting to land in the caat off from the Argo until they ing out at night on a rough bar. mate then beaded for open sea; •engere off, or when she waa
launched from shore. It was de-
PASSENGERS AND
t ere.
reached the light ship was 8 hours.
Those on the boat were Captain
Snyner, Chief Engineer J. Snyder,
Assistant Engineer Thos. Russell,
Purser W. H. Simpson, Charley Hig­
ley, a passenger, two firemen, two
Bailors, colored cabin boy, and the
Italian who was first reported as
being left on the Argo.
"
They were accordingly return,
aboard, and the boat again”"1*^
shore. We watched the
it disappeared in the breaker,“?
afterward asked the ci
_
captai,
jfi*
saw the lifeboat land, t- ■
” a# he taj
marine glasses, ana he told v
1 wthn
they had, and he saw them
the beach.
‘
and turned our attention to £
ship.
The ship soon swung into
trough of the sea, being‘«tir.7, !
beyond the control of the »hi ■
crew. She drifted back out to L*
and north of the whistling buo,
and was rapidly sinking.
steam pumps could not be work* I
although the crew did what th»
could to repair the steam pipe,
keep the fires going.
The deck load was mostly throw,
overboard to lighten the ship,
|
as she was badly listed we pjw
what we could on the upper gl<¡. 1
an effort to trim the ship, and in, i
measure was successful. The ship’,
crew wae at work bailing waterwitk 1
buckets from the hold and the
passengers were taking shift. lt [
the hand pump. Mr Holdridp
and myself were last at the puma i
All had left us. We worked «)
we about gave out Wondering'
what was the reason we were not
relieved by some one, finally
hollered repeater^ for help ?ag'
got no answer. ATlast. becomingI
exhausted we quit the pumping
went on deck to see what the mattn
was and found the crew lowering
the life boats and making ready*
leave the ship. We had not bo,
notified that the ship was to bt
abandoned and really did not know
that we were in such great dange.
The captain, two passengers and
most of the crew got off ¡none boat
Four of the crew, Mate J. A. John­
son, A. E. Millard, E. Salmonnoi
and Holland, the Negro cook, and
(Continued on laBt page.)
Booming Oregon.
Often you hear it said of some
rapidly growing city or town th*
it is being "over-boomed.” Sud
expressions of opinion usuallycomt
from individuals who are not notti
for their booming and boostinj
qualities and who are not much»
dined to encourage such efforts ii
others. For the last twenty yean,
we have heard it said that Loa
Angeles was being overboomed,
and yet Los Angeles has growl
from a town of 10,000 to a great city
of 400,000 inhabitants, and ia still
growing. We have heard it said
that Medford is being overboomed,
and yet Medford has increased its
population from 3000 to 7000 in the
last two years and its bank reports
show a gain of $500,000 in the laat
twelve
months. It is said that
Eugene is an over-boomed tovn.
Possibly it is true, but when on«
stops to consider that Eugene hu
doubled its population in three
years and has more modern busi­
ness buildings and more miles of
paved streets than any other toei
in Oregon outside of Portland, ooe
is obliged to admit that the boo»
ing process has had its effects. H»
truth iB, no town or community i
Oregon has been over-boomed,
trip outside the borders of the sti
will soon convince anyone of t
fact. Oregon has only just be
to grow. Its industries are ii
infancy of their development:
towns and cities are just begin»
to throw aside the swaddling clot!
The real growth and develops
is yet to come, and the cities
communities that first awake t
realisation of this fact and go’
their affairs accordingly are
ones that will reap the quickest
best rewards for their foresight i
enterprise. Let’s not talk of o’
booming, but all get in and boots
little harder. We haven't yet <
come such experts in the boomi
business, that we are likely
do it—not for a while. »* I**1
Polk County Observer.
How One Doctor Succ»aa
Trea a Pneumonia,,
“ In treating pneumonia.
Dr. W. J. Smith, of Sander«,
only remedy I use for the
Chamberlain's Cough »«
While, of course. I
,
other symptoms with differed
icines, I have used this
many times in my medical P™
and have yet failed to find
where it has not controlled I
ble. I have used it mF»*
also my wife for cough«
repeatedly, and I most
and cheerfully recommena
superior to any other cough ry
to my knowledge.'' l"or
Lamar’s Drug Store.
__
Rich Men • Git:» Are J*
beside this ; "I want ,o J®,
cord as saying that I rei*^
trie Bitters as one of the »
gifts that God has made to
writes. Mrs. O. RhinevanIL»
tai Center. N.Y., ” I ca° ",
get what it has done tor ®
glorious medicine
buoyant spirits. vigi
jubilant health. Il
Nervousness, Sleepless; ,n<‘»
ancholy,
Headache,
Fainting and Diaav Spe*
builds up the weak. *
sickly. Try them. 50c
Clough's.