Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-09-13
STEAMER SUNK ON LAKE ERIE
LOSS OF LIFE.

STEAMER SUNK ON LAKE ERIE
LOSS OF LIFE.
We have this moment (says the N.
Y. Tribune) been shown letter from
gentleman on board the steamer
London, on Lake Erie, going to De-
troit. dated August Ii, which says
"This morning, Tuesday, about 4
O'Clock. was awakened by most
tremendous crash. | jumped out OF
nv birth, as well as every body else,
and running hastily up stairs found that
we had come in contact with another
steamer. whose name was lost in the
confusion. descended and put on my
boots, ran up stairs and beheld scene
which cannot attempt to describe
The other boat was rapidly sinking,
and her passengers, screaming, groan-
ing, shouting and praying, were coming
on board our boat. There were be-
tween so ami 90 souls on board, and
all were saved but s or 10. After pick
ing up every thing from the wreck we
could get hold of we left her, with her
stern a few feet out of water, upon
which we placed temporary flag to
mark the spot"
The Detroit advertiser has letter
from correspondent, furnishing more
particular account of this disaster
At half past 3 A. NJ. Tuesday, be-
low Point au Pelec on Lake Erie, the
London" steamer from Buffalo, and
the "Kent" steamer on her downward
passage, came in contact with dread
ful crash. and the result Of the concus-
sion was the loss Of the latter boat, and,
we grieyc 10 add, several lives.
have no heart to dwell upon the
scene we witnessed. For some min
utes we supposed we had broken the
machinery of the London, and were
going TO the bottom +; and were only
relieved from the apprehension of
watery grave by the sight of the Kent,
rapidly sinking, at our bows. Every
effort was made to save her passengers,
and all who were in sight were saved,
several of those from the cabin being
transferred to our boat without even
their clothes. But, sad to say, mum
Der were lost, being unable to gain the
upper deck in time. Among these we
reckon Rev. James e. Qunw, Rcdiord,
Michigan Mr. Charles Osborn, Gene
see county, N. Y; MIR. Seth Dcming,
Berlin, Conn; Master Bruce Deming,
Galena, Illinois; James Lowding, Up
slant, Michigan.
Two young ladies and n boy from
near Ypsilanti, names not known.
All the officers and hands of the boat
and 70 passengers, including 10 chill
dren, were saved.
Without any formal proceedings on
the subject our passengers have en-
deavorcd to ascertain the cause OF this
dreadful accident, and we have no
doubt i. occurred in consequence OF
the error in the pilot of the Kent at
tempting to pass on the wrong SIDE oil
the London, which brought her directly
across the bow, and at this the engineer
of the London rs soon rs he saw the
course Of the Kent shut of his steam,
vet his boat had too much hcadway
and the Kent was cut down in front OF
her wheel-housc. We remained FIVE
hours with the wreck, gathering float
ing parcels Of baggage, nc, and at
tempting to tow the hull ashore, but
she gradually sunk by the head, and
we were compelled TO perform the sad
office of hosting her dag half mast and
leaving her to her fate.
The London is not at all injured
Our passengers have done something
to relieve the necessities Of the suffer
ers--the ladies dividing their ward
robes aud the gentlemen opening their
nurses.