A Steamer Sinks in Olympia Harbor

The steamer Multnomah sank in Olympia harbor yesterday morning. A telegram from that city announced that she had struck a snag and sunk at Brown's wharf, on the west side of the city, and that the passengers were all taken off safely. Later information was to the effect that in backing out from the wharf on her return trip to Seattle, the boat ran into a pile set to mark the channel for the dredger, which was covered with a few inches of water at high tide. The fog rendered it still more difficult to avoid the obstruction. A number of piles have been driven since the work of harbor improvement commenced which under ordinary circumstances show above the surface of the water, but owing to an extreme high tide yesterday morning this particular pile was not visible, yet near enough to the surface to tear an ugly hole in the bow, which caused the steamer to sink. As soon as she struck, the steamer was headed for the West Side mill wharf, which she reached, the passengers landed, and then the steamer went down. About twenty passengers were aboard and, although in no great danger, were greatly alarmed. No estimate has been made of the damage, but preparations have been made for an effort to raise the sunken steamer today.