The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-09-14
Terrible Disaster on Lake Michigan.
STEAMER SUNK.
Upward of 500 Lives Supposed to DO lost

CHICAGO, Sept. 8. The steamer Lady Elgin
In the Lake Superior Line, which left here last
night, was run into by the schooner Augusta.
OF Waukegan, ut half past two this morning.
The steamer sunk In 20 minutes In 800 feet oil
water. Only II passengers known to be saved,
including the clerk, steward and porter. From
$50 10 400 passengers are said to have been on
board, and among them the Black Yagers, the
Green Yagers, Rifles, and several companies OF
Milwaukee who were on visit to this city.
Col. Lumsden, of the New Orleans Picayune,
and family were on board, and are supposed "
be lost.
At the time of the accident the schooner was
sailing ut the rate Of II miles an hour.
The steam tug Mcqueen left this morning for
the scene of the disaster.
SECOND DISPATCH.
Herbert Ingraham, Member Of Parliament
and proprietor of the London illustrated News,
and his son Herbert were on board and are sup
posed to be lost. =,
The books and papers Of the steamer are oil
lost.
After the collision the steamer foated south
to winetka, where she sunk
II. @. Cayrl, clerk Of the boats, makes the
following statement The Lady Elgin len CHI
cago ut half past IL o'clock for Lake Superior:
Amongthe passengers were the Union Guard,of
Milwaukee, comprising part OF 2,o excursion
lists from that city. At about half past2 this
morning the schooner Augusta, Of Oswego,
came in collision with the Lady Elgin, when
about ten miles from the shore. 49,.
The vessel struck the steamer at the amidships
sangway on the lsrboard side. -,
The two vessels separated instantly, and the
Augusta drifted by in the darkness.
AZ the moment Of the collision there was mu-
sic and dancing going on in the forward cabin;
In an instant after the crash all was still, ana
in half ON hour the steamer sunk.
passed through the cabin the ladies were
pale but silent there was not acry or q shrek
10 sound but the rush Of the steam and the
urge of the heavy sea. Whether they were not
ully aware Of the dnnger, or whether their APP
,alling situation made them speeches., can
not tell.
A boat was lowered at once, with the design
VI going round on the larboard side to exam
ne the leak. There were two oars belonging
the boat, but just at that time some person
.ossessed himself of one of them, and we were
owerlcss 10 manage the boat. We succeeded
nee in reaching the wheel, but were quickly
rifted away and thrown upon the beach.
Only two boats were LEFT on the steamer. One
II them contained - persons, all Of whom
we're saved. The other boat had persons In
=, but only four OF them reached the shore
live. the others being drowned at the beach.
Before I left the steamers the engine had
,ased to work, the fires having been extn-
ushed.
The force and direction OF the wind was such
. lat the boats and fragments Of the wreck were |
riyen up the lake. and would reach the shore
the vicinity Of winetka. :,
As I stood upon the beach hopelessly looking
ack upon the route over which we had drited,
. could see, in the gray of the morning, objects
eating upon the water, and sometimes
fought human beings were struggling with the
;ayes.