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One of the most disasterous wrecks in the history of the sound is that of the str. 'Clallam'
which sank in mid-straits Saturday between Dungeness and Smith's Island, and which caused the
loss of 54 lives. From the facts that the steamer was known to be leaking when it left Townsend
at noon; that a terrific storm was raging; that no signal of distress was given at any time;
that two additional loads were cast off after it was demonstrated that no small boat could
weather the storm and this is face of the further fact that the steamer could have been run
into smooth water in, fourth the time it floated; that the rescue tugs' captains were not
apprised of the conditions; that the Umatilla sighted the steamer in tow but saw no signal of
distress; that the hull parted from the upper works in going down, leaving the main and upper
decks, and the whole upper works' intact and afloat, indicates that somebody is largely
responsible for the loss of life. The thought impresses one that the ship and not the precious
lives was the uppermost thought, although the captain is credited with doing his best and is
nearly unbalanced over the result.
Thos. Sullins, who lost his wife and three children, was for many years a prominent resident of Sequim; thus Clallam county mourns specially for five souls, the honored nnd highly respected Homer Swaney being the other. |