Six Drowned and the Dead Looted: The Wreck of the Strathblane

SOUTH BEND, Nov. 11.—The Journal says the scene at the wreck of the large iron ship Strathblane, which went ashore near North Beach on Tuesday, the 3d inst., as told by eye witnesses, was fearful. Word was sent to the Fort Canby life saving station as soon as possible, and the crew, Captain Harris in command, proceeded to Ilwaco, where they boarded the train and were taken to the scene, arriving there about 9 o'clock. The delay was occasioned by the failure to call up the operator at the fort. Word was finally carried on horseback. Immediately all was confusion on board. It was too rough to launch the boats, and the crew and passengers had to swim for their lives. The log book and $800 in money were put in a tightly sealed tin box and thrown to the mate, who had leaped into the foaming waters, but he cried out that he could not take care of it, and it was lost. Meanwhile many were the deeds of heroism done by the farmers and inhabitants on the peninsula along the beach. Men rushed into the angry waters up to their necks, regardless of the imminent danger from the deadly undertow or of being overwhelmed by the angry waves. Phil Stout rode out on his horse to seize a man just on the point of drowning. The horse lost his footing and turned over. Mr. Stout was fortunately tied to the saddle, or he would have been carried away. The horse finally righted himself and gained the shore with his heroic rider. Clarence Hutton also rode horseback into the waves, and another man whose name is unknown drove in his sulky into the water to rescue the drowning men, and rescued two. All were got safely ashore except six, who were drowned: Captain Cuthell; Richard Hughes, carpenter; Thomas Hunter, cook; Donald McLeod and Thomas Brier, seamen; and a passenger named William Lewis. Four of the bodies were recovered. The life saving crew could do nothing except assist in rescuing those who were washed ashore. One of the lines struck a mast and fell away. The other three lines broke off before they had shot one hundred feet. Though the ropes had been but recently received from the government, they seemed to be rotten. The surf was too heavy to permit the launching of the surf boat. Of the four who are now cold in death, two died after they were washed ashore. Captain Cuthell's body was found on the beach a mile from the wreck. He was a fine looking man, of medium height, and his very looks show his grit and courage. He was a Mason, as an emblem he wore showed. A diamond brooch, diamond ring and letter from his wife were also found on his person. Beside the bravery and courage shown by some, others exhibited the basest of all human traits and devoted the precious moments needed to save the drowning to breaking open trunks and boxes and rifling their contents, and finally robbing the dead and going through the pockets of the unconscious. A county officer who was early on the spot ordered these robbers and plunderers to give up the objects of their cupidity. Mr. Egbert did all he could to assist the rescued ones and was heartily thanked by the people. The crew were Scotchmen.