SHIPWRECK OF THE 'SHARK.' 5S7

he became the guest of Abernethy Accompanied by the governor, he made a tour of the Willamette Valley, after which Abernethy returned with hmi to Vancouver, where for two days he was entertained on board the Shark. A warm intimacy sprung up be- tween the commander and the governor, and every opportunity was afforded the former for becoming aclmamtecl wdh 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, 27 always a great allure- ment 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 s low ly down the river in going out on the 10th of October the Shark was carried on the south spit, and became a

total wreck. TT ., 10i i .

This disaster, the second to a United States vessel at the mouth of the Columbia, was most complete. Oth- cers and men were cast ashore without food or cloth- ing helpless and miserable. Leaving his crew poorly sheltered at Astoria, Howison returned to Vancouver meeting by the way the cutter of the MoJeste 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

» 'TTw, few American merchant vessel* which had visited the Columbia, JLSZfcZfi eminence fromthe lose £*■«- - I*-*-*

°"5&£ at Oregon City ami ^^ZZ^t^^ SLTwhSK t^h Vcrn^ SEb.' UUls on Baring Brothers at par. Coast and Country, 5.