The Narrow Escape of the Ship Spartan
A historic vessel remains in Port Townsend Bay, a survivor of a devastating waterfront fire that nearly cost its captain his life.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The ship Spartan, now in a leaking condition in Port Townsend Bay, will be remembered as the vessel which was lying at the coal wharf on the night the Mississippi and the coal wharf were burned. She was saved through the skill of her captain, who cut the lines and sailed away from the wharf before a light breeze. He had his coat almost burned from his back while steering his vessel on that perilous occasion.
“He had his coat almost burned from his back while steering his vessel on that perilous occasion.”
This account captures the constant, visceral risk of fire on Seattle’s historic waterfront—a danger that would eventually culminate in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. While modern maritime safety has evolved, the story serves as a reminder of how quickly the city’s economic lifeblood could be reduced to ash.
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