Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-11-26


particulars Of the voyage aud the dangers
encountered.
The City Of Cleveland arrived at Detroit
from Lake Superior on Thursday, and took
the freight and passengers of the steamer
Ocean for Cleveland. She left Detroit
Thursday evening about O'Clock, and ran
to the Smelling Works, miles below Detroit
on the Detroit river, where she took on 2s
tons of ingOt copper, and lay there through
Thursday night, owing to a heavy snow
storm. At o'clock Friday morning she re-
newed her trip, passing Bois Blanc Light
at 10 A. NJ, wind s.s.W. Passed Point au
Pellee Light at o'clock same day, wind the
same. She kept on her course steadily for
Cleveland barbor until within about eight
miles Of it, when the wind shifted from
s.s.W. to NV, still showing thickly. Saw
the Cleveland Light, but soon lost sight of
it from the thickness of the storm and mist,
and did not dare to venture in. The storm
at this time was terrific, and Capt. Ryder
about ship and stood for the Islands, steer
30 "SsN AAeAhA AOA 4dAA ttu AOuEs AN Oh
o'clock the wind hauled to the west, the
snow being still very thick, the sea heavy and
making all the time. The steamer was rap
idly loading with ice, and laboring heavily.
All remember the terrible storm of Friday
night. Early in the evening the rain storm
changed to snow, and the wind was bitter
cold. The Lake was lashed into fury such
as is seldom seen even on Lake Erie, proven
bal for its heavy storms. Wherever the
spray struck it froze, and the binding snow
was driven before the wind like shot. If
such was the night on the beach, imagine
what it must have been out in the opep
lake upon laden steamer. The sea washed
over the steamer continually and froze as it
fell. The decks were one mass of ice, and
the wood work was broken up at every wave.
The wind howled dismaIly, and such night
Of horror has seldom been known. About
II o'clock in the evening there was little
prospect Of saving the steamer, and the pas
sengers prepared for their fate. Far from
land with nothing but trembling frame
between them and eternity, they each mu-
tually bid farewell to earthly scenes, and
onlywaited for the final plunge or wreck. So
che night wore on.
About sH o'clock P. NJ. jettisOned As gross
tons Of pig iron. At 10 O'Clock P. NJ. the
wind was s.W., the steamer steering W.s.W.
for Kelly's Island. She was kept on this
course until daylight Saturday morning,
oath. About 8 A. NJ. jettisoned the copper.
At this time heavy fog prevailed, and the
land was not visible. The sea was very
heavy, and making clean breach over her.
She was kept on her course, however, and at
III o'clock in the forenoon Of Saturday
uiutie Iauu. Ia -I.vrt time the log cleared
away, and she was found to be off Vermil-
lion, The steamer was at once put before
the wind for Cleveland About o'clock in
the afternoon she attempted to make the pier
but having but one wheel to work with, was
compelled to back of, it being found that
she could not clear. Having got an ofing
again, she was headed for the pier, and got in
all right at SPIN.
The incidents of this passage are of the
most thrilling character, About o'clock
Friday morning the boat listed so much
that her larboard guards were finder water.
1t was frequently found necessary to work
her by hand, owing to the filling Of the
wheels, and atone time during Friday night
she was worked in this way for two hours.
An old captain, who was on board, tells US
that unless something decisive was done, the
boat could not have lived an hour. Capt.
Ryder was, however, equal to the emergen-
cy. Without hesitation, when he saw it
was demanded, he ordered quantity OF cop
per to be thrown overheard, and about $685.
900 worth of copper and iron was plugged
into the lake. This lighted the steamer and
raised the hopes of those on board. This
was all that saved the steamer from total de-
structiOn. The guards were broken in, as
were the forward bulk heads. The sea dash
ed through the cabin and on the entire boat.
To add to the danger the larboard wheel was
entirely broke away. She also lost one Of
her davits and small boat.
The conduct of Capt. Ryder through all
the hours of danger, was above all praise
He was in every post of danger from the
decks to the hold, encouraging the men at
their duty and cheering up the hopes of the
passengers. During much of the time,
while upon the decks, his clothes were one
mass of ice.
At the request Of, and in the name of all
the passengers, we express their most heart
felt gratitude to Capt. Ryder and his officers
who by their skill and efforts, saved them
from death. All agree that to him they are
indebted for their escape from an awful death.
If the vessel had gone down all would have
been lost, and nothing else was expected by
all of them. They were generally calm, the
ladies bearing themselves nObly.
And the officers of the steamer are eiually
grateful to the passengers for their .,eroic
conduct during the trying occasion, who in
every respect showed themselves equal to
the trial.
When the boat had made one unsuccess-
full attempt to enter the piers, Mayor senter,
with cOmmendablc prOmptness, guaranteed
to the Captain of the propeller owego her
insurance to go to the relief of the City of
Cleveland, if help should be needed. A
number of citizens boarded the steamer and
volunteered their services, and the most
lively Sympathy and disposition to render as
sistance were manifested by all.
To Capt. D. Smith, and C. S. Plumb, who,
with their ladies, were on board, we are in
debted for these particulars.
The officers of the boat are as follows:
Capt.--George II. Ryder.
1st Mate-Gilbert Dumont.
ID f" St5Well Andrews.
Clerk-Thomas s. Robinson.
steward-John Curtis.
1st Elgineer-Joel 0dette.
I'd do.-Edward James.
Wheclsmen-Allen Mcintyre and Alex.
Ratferv