Sept. 26, 1883 the bark Cairnsmore, en route from Liverpool to Washington state with a load of dry cement,
was wrecked on the Columbia River bar near Cape Disappointment, Washington. The wreck was caused by
a heavy fog and due to the cargo the ship was hopelessly stuck on the bar. Some of the crew tried to signal
anyone on shore who could see by climbing the riggings and using flares, this proved useless due to the fog. As
the ship settled deeper and deeper the decision was made to abandon her however, the men did not know
exactly where to go. The options were to attempt to make shore which entailed crossing the heavy surf of the
bar or heading out to sea in the hope a passing ship would find them, they chose the latter.

This was a lucky choice as the steamship Queen of the Pacific had heard the men yelling and despite the fog,
found the lifeboats and rescued the entire crew. The Cairnsmore however was doomed. As the cement got
harder the ship went under and was ultimately destroyed by the sea.

© 2007 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com