17 
Tue WRECK oF THE ‘‘SUTHERN.’’ 
By ALsert B. REAGAN. 
About 1850 a revenue cutter (7), the “Suthern” was damaged at sea 
in a storm; and, to save the crew, the captain ran the vessel ashore in 
the old mouth of the Quillnyute River near what is now the Indian village 
of LaPush, Washington. Immediately on grounding, the vessel was taken 
possession of by the Quileute (Quillayute) Indians. The savages boarded 
her and emptied her supply cargo inte the sea. The dried fruits and the 
flour they knew not how to use as they had never seen such things before. 
So they emptied the fruit overboard to get the pretty boxes. They also 
poured the flour into the surging surf that they might get the sacks to make 
into clothes. The money of the ship also fell into their hands. It was 
gold. ‘They had never seen go]d before. They knew not its value or pur- 
