MANY CRAFT CAUGHT BY GREAT STORM

Grave Fears for Fate of Nine Vessels

Storm’s Terrible Havoc Along the Northern Coast

Bark Henrietta Sinks While Lying at Anchor Near Astoria, and the Four Masted Schooner Minnie A. Caine is a Wreck at the Head of the Strait of Juan de Flora — Other Damages

SEATTLE, Wash., Dec. 28, 1901 — The grimmest story of marine disaster in all the history of the North Pacific is expected by local marine men from Clallam bay tomorrow. The fate of nine vessels, caught by the Christmas storm in that body of water which lies like a trap in the path of southwest gales, is not known. Old mariners fear that one or all may be lost. Sound tugs went on the lookout for these crafts today. Some of these tugs are expected in port tomorrow:

American ship, William H. Macy.
American ship, Bangalore.
British ship. Oweenee.
British ship, Ivema
American barkentine, Katy Flackinger.
American bark. Carleton.
Three American schooners, names unknown.

All were seen at anchor in Clallam bay Christmas day. None of them were known to have left before the closing of night on the waters. Any of their number caught in the bay during the storm could not have escaped this is the opinion of marine men.

Clallam bay, with the rocks of Vancouver island before it and to its near the canyons of Olympics, so lying that they carry the blasts of a southwest wind direct upon its exposed surface, has long been regarded with fear by mariners during such a storm as that of Christmas day. So placed are the mountain passes to the south and west that they draw down a southwest gale upon this spot. They concentrate its blasts upon the few square miles of water. For a vessel set to let go anchor to such a wind is to run the risk of fetching up on the rocks of Vancouver island, across the straits. That shore offers no harbor. The lack of seaway precludes the possibility of beating out into the open ocean. No report of any of this hapless fleet has come to this port.

BARK HENRIETTE SINKS

Goes to the Bottom While Lying at Anchor

ASTORIA, Ore., Dec. 27.—The French bark Henriette, loaded with redwood, bound for the United Kingdom, sank during last night’s storm on a reef of rocks just above the depot of the Astoria and Columbia River railroad. She settled on both her anchors and it is supposed that they forced a hole in her bottom. No lives were lost. The captain has filed a protest with Acting French Consul Cherry against the tug Wallulu for leaving him at anchor there yesterday, when the captain spoke the tug and answered that the bark was all right.

THE MINNIE CAINE WRECKED Goes Ashore at Head of Strait of Juan de Fuca

(Special Dispatch to The Herald.) SEATTLE, Wash., Dec. 27, 1901 — The four masted schooner “Minnie A. Calne” Is a wreck on the north end of Smith’s island at the head of the strait of Juan de Fuca. There was no loss of life In the disaster. The vessel cannot escape total destruction. Puget Sound Tugboat company boats have been trying to save the vessel. It was from the tug “Magic” of that line, and while towing the schooner off Victoria during the storm of Christmas night, that the hawser had to be cut, leaving each vessel to itself. This was made necessary because the Caine threatened to rollover upon and swamp the tug. Once separated, Captain Olsen of the schooner made for Port Townsend. The schooner fought on through the storm, but sail after sail was carried away, finally leaving her helpless. Soon after” this, she was driven upon the rocky beach at the north end of the island. The tugs Dolphin, Tacoma and Magic made every possible effort to save the vessel today, but without success. Captain Olsen and his crew of eleven men were still with the schooner, and will remain with her until she goes to pieces, Captain Caine has notified the marine underwriters of the disaster.

MORE STORIES OK DISASTER

British Bark Bankburn Is Reported Missing

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., Dec. 28, 1901 — Reports of havoc by the storm down the Straits are being brought in by boats and confirm the first reports of disaster to shipping, with the exception of the ship Packard, which, according to reports brought here by the steamer North Pacific, is not ashore on Trial island, but after dragging from her anchorage in Royal Broads, she brought up just outside of Brotchy Ledge, near the entrance to Victoria harbor. While she is in a dangerous position, she is not in imminent danger unless another storm should come up.

The British bark Bankburn is reported as missing. She wan anchored in the Royal Roads and her captain was ashore when the storm came up and he was unable to get aboard. During the night the ship broke from her anchorage and nothing has been seen or heard of her since. It Is thought that she was driven by the storm into some bay among the islands, where she has found an anchorage.

The Japanese steamer Shinano Maru. which returned here with her cargo on fire, went to Seattle this morning, where her 107 passengers will be landed and her hold her hold filled with water. When the fire was discovered steam was forced into the hold, which kept the fire in check. While she was in the harbor last night an investigation was made and it was found that the fire had made little progress. A consultation was held with the passengers and they decided to remain on board rather than to come ashore. The fire had not gained sufficient headway to cause the vessel to heat to any alarming extent, and it is the opinion of Captain Cope that most of the cargo can be saved.

DAMAGE TO SHIPPING

Cable Station at Victoria Wrecked by the Storm

VANCOUVER. B. C.. Dec. 28, 1901 — The worst storm for several years struck Vancouver at midnight Wednesday and continued all day Thursday. Great damage was done, especially to small shipping, the total loss being estimated at about $100,000. The steamer Aorangi, coming in from Australia, lay in English bay all night and got her anchor foul of the Canadian Pacific cable to Victoria, the end of which is now lost. The cable station wan wrecked by storm and logs piled against It. The bark Elizabeth Nicholson dragged her anchor across the harbor and went broadside against the Hastings mill wharf. She broke the copper sheathing over her bows but no holes were stove in her. The bow of the steamer Active was carried right onto the wharf and the sustained considerable damage. Fifteen small steamers went adrift and were all more or less damaged.

Wreckage has been picked up in the gulf, including several cases of Alaska Pickers company salmon, marked Todd, Icy Pass” These are thought to be either from a southbound Alaska steamer, or from the Mainlander. The latter has not arrived and no news here as to whether she left Seattle on time last night or not.

*Noteworthy

1795 – Construction of Yonge Street, formerly recognized as the longest street in the world, begins in York, Upper Canada (present-day Toronto).

1832 – John C. Calhoun becomes the first Vice President of the United States to resign.

1836 – South Australia and Adelaide are founded.

1867 – United States claims Midway Atoll, the first territory annexed outside Continental limits.

1912 – The first municipally owned streetcars take to the streets in San Francisco.

1973 – The Endangered Species Act is passed in the United States.