A.B. Hammond owned or was a large investor in several companies around the local area, including Tongue Point Lumber Co., which he purchased from pioneer salmon processor George Hume.

I.

“Astoria, Feb. 12 — … The Oshkosh left Tillamook Saturday morning. When a short distance from port, an approaching storm was seen and Capt. Latham started to put into

port.

“Heading for the Columbia River, she was a few miles to the south when a northwestern gale struck. The Oshkosh was headed into the gale but although she has 200 horsepower she was carried before it and toward the beach.

“All was going well, however, when a terrific wave swept over [and] … capsizing her, [swept] all the men into the water except May. All the drowned lived in Astoria.” Feb. 14, 1911. Statesman Journal, [Salem, Ore.]

“Astoria, Ore., Feb. 14 — George May, the sole survivor of the Oshkosh … wrecked off the Columbia Bar yesterday, came up to Astoria … and told his story to his friends. …

“He says that at the time the vessel turned turtle he was in the engine room alone and, after the shock, he scrambled to his feet and found himself standing on the ceiling of the room.

“He instantly knew what had happened, and knowing exactly where the schooner was and the direction of the wind and tide, he knew that she would soon be beached.

“He says … after she had struck several times and stopped, he broke his way into the hold and from there had no difficulty in getting to the beach as the vessel had been thrown far up.

“Then … [he] ran all the way to the life-saving station [at Point Adams] to tell of the disaster.

“The beach is still being patrolled but none of the bodies have come ashore.

“The schooner was on the way from Tillamook and was a few miles off the Columbia River Bar when she [sank] …. Those drowned when the ship turned over are: Capt. Thomas Latham, master; W. R. Deane, Gus Ramzager, Al Davis, Charles Larson, and Gus Chiulberg. May … the only one saved, was the engineer.

“The Oshkosh struck a terrible gale on the run from Tillamook to the Umpqua River on Saturday and became helpless. Her lifeboats were swept overboard, the rigging … smashed, and she drifted helplessly before the gale, being driven … within two miles of the Columbia Bar and three miles offshore yesterday, she turned turtle and floated ashore. May is the only survivor.” Feb. 15, 1911, Morning Register, [Eugene, Ore.].

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II.

“Rough weather, which on two occasions developed hurricane force, was encountered by the British ship Naiad, Capt. B.J. Roberts, when she arrived off the Oregon coast on her way up from Callao [Peru]. One of the hurricanes was that of Feb. 13, in which the gas schooner Oshkosh turned turtle.” Mar. 6, 1911. The Oregon Daily Journal.

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III.

“A trip up the Coast in weather … that [was] not in the least disagreeable and more pleasant than is usual … at this season, only to be met off the Columbia River … by a southeast gale that whistled through the rigging at … 65 miles an hour and kicked up a heavy sea, was … reported … by officers of the flagship Beaver, of the San Francisco & Portland fleet … .

“The vessel arrived off the River at 5 A.M. yesterday, but did not cross in until 9:20 A.M., the sea being … rough …but when the southeastern [storm] gathered in force, the greatest inconvenience was from the wind ….

“Three times the Beaver cruised around the [Columbia River] Light [Ship] before Capt. Mason felt … the entrance could be negotiated without danger of another freak wave boarding the ship, such as was … on … her previous visit.

“[T]he steamer brought nearly 200 passengers …. “ Dec. 14, 1912. The Oregonian [Portland, Ore.].

“Boarded by a monstrous sea at 11 o’clock Monday night off the Columbia River entrance, which struck her aft and on the starboard side, the steamer Beaver sustained damage to two staterooms and railings on the upper and promenade decks. … Through the damage to staterooms aft, water found its way into several on the main deck ….

“The vessel arrived here at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. After her injuries were passed upon [by] Captain McNaught, surveyor for the San Francisco Board of Marine Underwriters, a force of ship carpenters was ordered on hand … so she will be … ready to sail Saturday.

“There were about 175 passengers aboard the Beaver, and some of those … received a ducking.

“Capt. Mason said that the night was clear and the sea … [near] the [Columbia River Light] vessel not unusually severe, save that there was a heavy westerly swell.

“After picking up the Light Vessel … [the captain] headed in until the red gas buoy marking the side of the [bar] entrance was discernible and then saw beyond a wall of ‘white water,’ the Bar apparently breaking clear across.

“He … signaled for the engines to reverse, preparatory to turning about and heading for the open sea, when the wave struck. Another hit the Beaver about amidships starboard, but simply broke and threw much spray aboard.

“… About three years ago the Beaver received similar damage in command of Capt. Nelson ….” Dec. 24, 1913. The Oregonian [Portland, Ore.]

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IV.

“Dec. 28, [1912]—About 3:40 a.m. the 2,184-ton, 4-masted British bark Torrisdale, bound from Antofagasta, Chile, to Astoria, Oreg., in ballast, stranded on the south spit near the rocks of the jetty [at] … Grays Harbor, Wash. The bark, nearing the end of a 7,000-mile voyage, had hauled in toward the shore early in the night of the 27th on the lookout for a tug or a pilot. Failing to pick up either, she put to sea again.

“During the night a gale rose, with squalls veering from south to southwest and westerly, accompanied by a very high sea.

“To keep off the land, the bark put on all the sail she could carry, but when the lookout reported Grays Harbor Light, it was found that current, leeway, and seas combined were carrying her toward the beach. The sails were set to wear ship in an effort to get out of danger, but the gale blew them away, leaving the vessel helpless. Her anchors were let go, but they failed to hold and she was swept into the breakers.

“She struck below the jetty six or seven hundred yards offshore, and soon careened until she lay on her beam ends. Her crew attempted to get away in their boats, which, however, were rendered useless by the seas before they could be launched.

“Life belts were served to all of the 30 persons on board, rockets were fired, and. prayers were offered up for the. deliverance of the imperiled company.

“The bark’s signals being observed by the patrol from the Grays Harbor Station, the life-saving crew promptly launched their Dobbins boat and proceeded down the harbor toward the entrance. After they had passed Point Chehalis it was seen that the vessel lay on the south side of the jetty rocks.

“As it would have been sheer madness to try to reach her in the prevailing state of the sea by rounding the outer end of the jetty, they anchored their boat inshore near the point, landed, and crossed over the jetty to the beach below.

“They found the bark lying on her starboard side, with what was left of her rigging projecting out almost horizontally over the water. Her crew could be seen huddled together aft on the upper side of the hull. …

“The first attempt made to reach the vessel was by line — a No. 7, fired with 8 ounces of powder. When the line was observed to fall far short of its object, the life-savers turned to their boat.

“It was out of the question to go alongside the exposed bottom of the wreck, and equally impossible to run close in on the opposite side amidst the thrashing debris of her rigging.

“As the situation stood, there was nothing for the sailors to do but leave their refuge on the upturned hull, clamber down the steeply sloping wave-swept deck, crawl out along one of the masts, and drop down into the waiting surfboat. This they did, one by one, until all had been taken off. Three trips between ship and shore were required to complete the rescue.

“The bark was totally lost.”

“Aberdeen, Wash., Jan. 3, 1913.

“Dear Capt. Jacobsen: I cannot leave your shores without again thanking you for the prompt and efficient attention you and your gallant crew gave us in saving the whole ship’s company from our miserable and dangerous situation on the morning of December 28, when my vessel, the Torrisdale, was cast on your shores a hopeless wreck.

“All the members of my crew join me in hoping that you and your crew may live long and repeat, if necessary, your splendid work of saving those who are no longer able to save themselves.

“In our hearts we again accord you the three hearty cheers that we gave you when, at the risk of your lives, you so ably brought your boat under our wrecked masts, and then repeatedly made the dangerous passage through the surf until we were all safe on shore.

“We also beg to thank you again for the care given us after landing; also, the ladies who by their presence on the scene showed their sympathy.

“Wishing you all a happy New Year, I am, sir, very sincerely yours, John Collins, Master.

“Keeper Charles Jacobsen, Grays Harbor Life-Saving Station, Westport, Wash.” U. S. Life Saving Service Annual Report, 1913.

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V.

“Astoria, Or., Sept. 19, [1914] —There was a loss of life of at least 74 persons when the steam schooner Francis H. Leggett foundered yesterday in the heavy seas off Yaquina Head, south of the Columbia River.

“… The Leggett left Aberdeen at 2 o’clock Wednesday evening, with passenger accommodations filled and a capacity cargo of lumber. No sooner was the vessel clear of Gray’s Harbor than it began laboring heavily in a sea running mountain high.

“Thursday at 8 o’clock the Leggett reported by wireless off the mouth of the Columbia with all well.

“Friday morning the effects of the pounding she was receiving began to tell, and at noon Capt. Charles Maro ordered the deck load jettisoned. Seas were breaking over the vessel and its decks were continually awash. …

“The passengers were ordered to their cabins, so that, aside from the 30 who perished when the first lifeboat was launched and the eight in the second, which also capsized, the majority of the passengers were below decks when the vessel went down.

“The seas had torn away the hatch coverings and filled the holds with water. As the Leggett foundered, it turned turtle.” Sept. 20, 1914. The Oregon Daily Journal [Portland, Ore.]

“‘At 3 p.m. we received the first word that there was trouble,’ said Capt. Mason [of the steamship Beaver]… ‘Our operator heard the call from the [Japanese cruiser] Idzuma, [several hundred miles away], telling of the sinking of the Leggett … We knew nothing of the whereabouts of the steamer but plugged along, keeping a sharp lookout.

“‘At 11 o’clock our third officer found the [Associated Oil steamer Frank H.] Buck a short distance ahead. We then got his message telling us that he had just picked up one man …. We were about 3000 feet away from him and on the edge of the wreckage as we came to a standstill.

“‘With our lights we found the boat from the Buck and saw [survivor] Farrell as he lay across the [railroad] tie in the water. As we were closest to them the crew of the small boat pulled over to us and passed Farrell through our port onto the lower deck.

“‘We were then at a point 30 miles northwest by north of Yaquina light and 10-1/2 miles off shore.

“‘After we got Farrell aboard we commenced a further search of the wreckage. Cruising around among the wreckage and playing our lights from one side to the other, we made a thorough search but without avail. … We continued north till we had passed through all the wreckage and then put about and searched again. At daylight we were five miles south of the wreckage.

“‘We then put about again and, with the Buck three miles to our westward, we commenced another search by daylight. Not a sign of a body was found ….

“‘Following this plan with the Buck we worked up to the [Columbia River] Bar. At 3:30 a.m. the Northland and El Segundo had arrived and they informed us early yesterday morning that they, too, had made a careful search. …

“‘No chance existing if there being any survivors who could have escaped us we came on in, arriving at Astoria shortly after noon. …

“‘It was a hard trip on [our] passengers and crew alike and one I do not care to go through again.’ “ Sept. 20, 1914. The Oregon Daily Journal [Portland, Ore.].

“According to Farrell [the sole survivor], … the Leggett was unable to withstand the terrific gale that struck her off the Oregon coast Friday. Conditions grew worse and the captain gave orders to jettison the deck load. Heavy seas carried away the hatches and soon the hold filled with water. Attempts were made to launch the lifeboats; this was given up, as two boats were capsized and the occupants perished. Soon afterward the vessel went down, and Farrell getting tangled in a rope went down with her.

“When he came to the top he was able to grasp a railroad tie. He clung to it desperately. Eight hours later he was picked up by the oil steamer Buck which was the first to arrive on the scene. …

“‘When I came up, I saw nothing but a terrific sea with huge combers breaking. There was timber everywhere — railroad ties which the crew had jettisoned a short time before. I grabbed a tie, got my arms over it and rested on my chest. There I hung on from 3 o’clock that afternoon until 1:15 the next morning when the Buck came up and rescued me.’ Sept. 20, 1914. The Oregon Daily Journal [Portland, Ore.]

“… The [Francis H.] Leggett sank at about 3:15 p. m., yesterday, 30 miles northwest by north of the Yaquina light, off the Oregon coast. Alexander Farrell of Sacramento, the only passenger of the two rescued who has reached port …. The other rescued passenger, George H. Pullman of Winnipeg, Can., is on board the [Associated Oil steamer Frank H.] Buck, which is lying off the Columbia Bar awaiting calmer weather before crossing in.” Sept. 20, 1914. Los Angeles Times.

“The Leggett was a steel steamship built at Newport News in 1903 for the Hammond Lumber Company. Her tonnage was 1605. For the past year she has been operated by the Charles R. McCormick company of San Francisco.” Sept. 20, 1914, The Oregon Daily Journal [Portland, Ore.]