he became the guest of Abernethy Accompanied by the governor, he made a tour of the Willamette Valley, after which Abernethy returned with him to Vancouver, where for two days he was entertained on board the Shark. A warm intimacy sprung up between the commander and the governor, and every opportunity was afforded the former for becoming acquainted with the social interests of the country. While the commander was thus engaged, the other officers were visiting points on the Columbia with the same object, Howison being under orders to leave the river by the 1st of September. Meanwhile ten of his men deserted, tempted by the high price of labor and the prospect of owning land,[1] always a great allurement to sailors. Two of the deserters were returned to the vessel, but the others succeeded in escaping arrest Howison perceived that to retain his crew he must shorten his stay, and on the 23d of August took his departure from Vancouver. Passing slowly down the river in going out on the 10th of October the Shark was carried on the south spit, and became a total wreck.
This disaster, the second to a United States vessel at the mouth of the Columbia, was most complete. Officers and men were cast ashore without food or clothing helpless and miserable. Leaving his crew poorly sheltered at Astoria, Howison returned to Vancouver meeting by the way the cutter of the Modeste loaded with provisions, clothing, and such articles as were likely to be needed, which had been sent from the fort "where the news of the wreck was received on the 14th Purchasing the necessary supplies on the most favorable terms at Vancouver,[2] Howison returned to
- ↑ 'The few American merchant vessels which hail visited the Columbia, suffered the greatest inconvenience from the loss of their men in this way, and it is now customary for them to procure a reënforcement of kanakas, in passing the Sandwich Islands, to meet this exigency.' Howison's Coast and Country, 4.
- ↑ Cash, at Oregon City, and with the American merchants, was worth 12 per cent more than bills; yet the company furnished all Howison's requisitions, whether for cash or clothing, taking bills on Baring Brothers at par. Coast and Country, 5.
