The Formosa Runs Aground in Bellingham Bay

FAIRHAVEN, March 9.—[Special.]—The ship Formosa, with a cargo of 1,250,000 feet of lumber for Callao, Peru, is aground here at Deadman's Point, close in shore. She had been lying off in the bay for two days at Whatcom and left there about 10 o'clock last evening in tow of the tug Mogul, whose captain seems to have laid his course straight for Bellingham channel, passing closer to the line of piles off Deadman's Point than small-draft steamers ever undertake to go at low tide. The result is that the big ship is fast in the mud, with no prospect of getting off without unshipping her deck load at least. She draws twenty feet four inches of water, and now rests her whole length in the mud.

At 6 o'clock this morning the tide was higher than it will be again for two weeks. The grounding of the vessel is considered inexcusable on the part of the navigator of the tug, as the harbor channel through which vessels can at all times safely pass is at least three miles wide off Deadman's Point. The captain of the Mogul claims that the man who was at the wheel on the Formosa is the one to blame, but the excuse is deemed a poor one here.

Capt. Bretherton, of the Mogul, refused to render any assistance to the Formosa today and left this afternoon for Port Townsend. Much indignation is expressed at his action in running the Formosa ashore. The weather was clear and the harbor is noted as one of the largest and safest on the Pacific coast.

Capt. Ohrloff, of the Formosa, has wired the British consul at Port Townsend to stop the Mogul's pay and send another tug. The Mogul will be libeled for damages. Capt. Biondi, agent for Lloyds, will be here in the morning to attend to the matter of insurance. The Formosa's deck load is being thrown off, and the captain hopes to float her by Saturday. Her position is not considered dangerous, as the bottom where she lies is soft and free from rocks. She lies broadside to the shore, 125 feet from the line of piles.