Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-09-14
TERRIBLE DISASTER on LAKE MICH
ICAN

IVAN
CmcAGo, Sept. s.--Steamer Lady Elgn
was run into by schooner off Waukegan at
2.30 this morning, and sunk in twenty min
utes in three hundred feet of water
There were from $50 to 400 passengers on
board, including several military and fire COM
panics, and Col. Lumsden Of the New Orleans
Picoyaoe, and family, who are supposed to be
lost. Only seventeen are known to have been
saved.
The schooner was going at the rate of eleven
miles an hour. A steam tug has gone to the
scene Of the disaster
No accurate list or number Of the persons
on board can bo given, but tho following is
estimated to be nearly correct. Excursion
party. 800 regular passengers, 80 steamer
crew, 49, OF these but 9S are saved
Captain Malott. of the schooner Augusta,
states that when he first discovered the steam
cr's lights, both rcd and bright, he supposed
her to bo from a quarter 20 "a half a mile dis
tant, and steering northeast. IL was raining
very hard at the time. We kept our vessel
ON her course, cast by SOUTH until we saw
that collision was probable when we put
the helm hard up; struck the steamer two or
three minutes afterwards, just abait the pad
die box on the port side; steamer kept on
her course with engine in full motion headed
the Augusta around north, alongside the
steamer, but they got separated in about
minute, when the Augusta fell in the trout
of the sea, and all head gear, jibboom ant
stanchions were carried away.
We took in sell and cleared away anchor
surprising the vessel would fill. After clear
/ ing away the wreck, got up the iorcsa ant
[ succeeded IN getting before the wind, an,
stood for land. We lost sight Of the steame
in five minutes after the collision.
MIR. Beagman, the second mate Of the Lad,
Elgin, states that at - o'clock a squal
struck US in five minutes more saw lights o
vessel one point off port bow. ! sang out
"Hard-a-port,' but the vessel seemed to pa,
no attention, aud struck us Just forward o
the paddle box on the larboard side, tearing
of the wheel and cutting through the guard
into the cabin and hull. We were steorin.
norihwost-by-wcst, point to windward
our course was northwest. After striking
us, the vessel hung for moment. and thei
got clear. went below TO see what damag
was douc, and when | got back the yesse
was gone.
When intelligence Of the loss Of the steam
or reached Milwaukee yesterday, it spca,
like wildfro throughout the city The tclc
graph Office were throngcd all day with rcla
tiyes and friends Of those on board, VIII,
manifested the greatest anxiety.
Ia the first ward Of Milwaukee it is sal,
there is scarcely house or place of business
which has not lost some inmate or employer
All the survivors unite in praise of Capt
Jack Wilson for his great bravery and daring
Ho was foremost ia confronting danger au,
earnest for the safety OF the passengers. II,
was drowned within 100 feet Of the shore
Nearly 100 persons arrived within so yard
Of the beach, but were swept back by return
ing waves and lost.
Up to 9 O'Clock to night only o bodice
have been recovered, most of which are rec
ognilcd 10y friends those of residents o
Milwaukee.