Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/333

Rh, New Brunswick, which, as it happened, was but some twenty miles from Bradbury's old home. He was not a regular shipwright, but was a man of great mechanical ingenuity, and had already built a number of boats and was fully competent to work out a larger design. The result was, The Wave, a keel boat of rather broad beam, of schooner rig, and about twenty tons burden. She was one of three that were built and launched about the same time on the Columbia, all out crossing over the bar the same day, which was about the middle of September. One of the two other boats had been made from the Peacock's launch, and was commanded by Geer. The other was built further up the river. Thus is illustrated how, even in 1848, scant as was her population, Oregon could promptly meet almost any demand required of skill and ingenuity.

There were fifteen men that went on The Wave, and their various supplies and a cargo of flour nearly filled the decks. Fifteen days were spent in the voyage, though the boat proved a good sailer; but an unnecessarily long distance was covered. However, the time was spent agreeably, and the Golden Gate was passed safely. The schooner had been painted and was well rigged, and lacked but one convenience, which was a stove; but this was partially made up by a fireplace of clay, with a few bricks to facilitate cooking.

Mining was followed with varying fortune for about a year. The first venture was on the north fork of the American River, in partnership with John and Richard Hobson and Marcellus. After digging amid snow and frost for about three months and making $3,000 each, they discontinued operations. Provisions were bought at a regular rate of a dollar a pound of another party of Oregonians, among whom were Robb and Jeffers. Two