The steamboat “Columbian” had been built in 1898, in Victoria, B.C.

She (I find it interesting that ships are always feminine, don’t you? Could this be because most pilots and captains are men?) began her commission with the Canadian Development Company, and in 1901 she was sent to the Yukon to run the Yukon River between Whitehorse and Dawson City. She was a popular boat, and she always sailed with a full complement of cargo and passengers.

Until September 25th, 1906, that is.

September 25, 1906 was the day the Columbian would lose her usefulness. She was heading downriver towards Dawson that day, with her usual complement of cargo and passengers. Among the cargo was a load of explosives to be used in the mines. Up until that time, no one had ever given a second thought to carrying explosives on steamships that also carried passengers; but that, too, would change.

One of the passengers aboard the Columbian that day accidentally fired a shotgun blast into a barrel of dynamite. The story goes that he was shooting at wild ducks on the river and his shot went wild. Whatever the reason, putting a shotgun blast into a barrel of dynamite is never a good idea, and it caused a colossal explosion that resulted in the deaths of five passengers and the total destruction of the Columbian.

The Colombian had been a ship with a promising future, but her future was completely ruined by the single shot of a gun! The same is true with the words we use. We often accidentally fire an explosive word that hits something other than the target we’re aiming for.

The consequences are always devastating; however unlike the destruction that was so evident on the Columbian, the destruction of our explosive words is not always noticeable. Rather, the damage is often to the self-worth of the recipient, and this can serve to forever alter their destiny.

No wonder James warned us to put a watch over our mouths against explosive words: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:19-21 NIV)

What kind of a “shotgun” do you use? I have decided to bury mine.

Rob Chaffart

P. S: In the wake of the destruction of the Columbian, it was no longer legal for passengers to travel aboard steamships carrying explosives. This posed a problem however, because explosives were carried aboard every steamship making the run from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Steamship companies were quite ingenious in their solution to the problem posed by this rule: Every passenger boarding a steamship was immediately signed up as a member of the crew! The rule didn’t state explosives couldn’t travel with crew members! Problem resolved! But that’s another story!