The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-09-25
THE DISASTER ON LAKE MICHIGAN.

Narratives Of the sqced-ABecting incidents
The Chicago papers contain extensive details o
the loss of the steamer Lady Eigin ON Lake Michi
gan. .r...~s. q. 81 z---s ,s ~ .Ey--.. szs-s
STATEMENT OF THE STEWARD ~
Frederick Rice,e steward of the Lady Elgin
states that about half an hour before the collision
he called the porter and directed him to trim al
the lamps. The passengers were dancing at tb,
time, and the lamps were trimmed at their request
Ina few minutes the wind and sea increased t.
such an extent that the dancing had to be sus
| peaded. The lights remained burning brightly
Between 2 and o'clock the schooner August,
struck the steamer on the larboard side about mid
ships, runring her bowsprit through the compan
ion way and through the deck into the cabin. The
hull of the boat was crushed in below the water
line, letting the flow directly into the hold,
tingushing the fires. In 20 minutes after the col
lision the engines stopped. ~ =. zs.- ..,ss.
Everything that could be done was done to STOP
the hole. Mattresses were put into it, and planks
spiked over, but without avail The Captain then
ordered the boats to be got ready, and directed
or men to take the large boat round to the hole
and # it could not be stopped from the outside
Twelve men got into the boat, and Mr. Rice placed
himself in the stern and with the used every
exertion to get round to the hole. The passengers
crowded the deck ready to leap in, and the stew
boat, showed it off as far as possible AS the boat
swung round the stern of the steamer, sea struck
ii and carried it long distance off. There was but
one OR in the boat and with this it found i'm
possible to get it back. The steward then called
for oars, believing that he would be able to save
few more people if he could get back to the
steamer. One oar was thrown, but those in the
boat could not get it. They then put the boat be-
fore the wind, the sea making clean breach over
her erery minute. With great exertions those in
this boat succeeded in reaching the shore at the
foot Of perpendicular bank. One of the men
succeeded in climbing up and let down rope by
which the others were drawn up. --. -.g- f. -sss
The steamer went down about 20 miles from
land. Mr. Rice describes the scene on board the
steamer as one of the widest excitement ana ter
ror Passengers ran hitEer and thither with alarm.
Women screamed and clung to their husbands or
companions in terror. The terrific shrieks of the
passengers were heard above the bowling tempest.
STATEMENT OF MIR SMITH. -s .s.s..
Michael f. Smith was among the number saved.
He was on the float with Capt. Wilson, and gives
the following statement of the disaster: e5, .s.
The steamer had on board some $50 or $50 head
of cattle, which We're thrown overheard by order
of the Captain. +ss.E 49,. .r.. ... ..s
The Captain then ordered all the passengers to
get life preservers; | think the most of them did
open the state rooms, that one should be left
in them. Nearly every passenger got out; though
[ pulled one out we hoated round. .s.st
A short time after this, the engine fell through
the bottom of the vessel; l should think in Is
minutes after the schooner struck her. hull
went down Immediately, leaving the hurricane
deck floating A great portion Of the passengers
we're on the hurricane deck when the hull went
down, the most of whom jumped off very soon,
IL. -. IooE
arated into five pieces-there were 20 persons on
the piece with me and Capt. Wilson. ~ ....r4
We held up cabin doors for sails, and came down
smoothly as far as Winetka. When within few
rods of the shore the raft capsized. Some of us
got back on it, among them the captain and myself
The Captain got one of the ladies back, when
big sea came and washed us off. The Captain was
the last man on the float [ heard him cheering
the passengers, when another sea came and wash
ed him off and he was drowned:
81 Of the rs who were on the float only eight were
saved. - ---- - T. -s-= ..-.. + s.=--
When daylight dawned, the four RATS we're in
sight, and great many persons floating on pieces
of the wreck. About 40 persons succeeded in
reaching the shore by means of floats, RATS and
pieces Of the wreck The greater part of them
were of the excursion party from Milwaukee Mr.
Lumsden, editor of the New Orleans Picayune,
and family were lost. - -. ~ '.=-
" ' INCIDENTS.
Numerous incidents are told showing great hero
ism or the total want of such quality. ON the
part of the drowning people. 1t is said that one
man, who was saved in of the boats, left his
wife and child on the steamer and in his fright
did not to think Of them until he was safe
on land. Another man and his wife were on the
pilot house. and his sole seemed to be for her
When near the shore huge wave washed her off
III aLo huc eff his
place and SWAN to her assistance. Sezing her in
his arms he swan back through the waves and by
great exertion succeeded in placing her on the
pilot house again. Both were saved. -
John Furlong, when the boat began to break
up, succeeded in finding a cabin door, with which
he threw himself into the water. "A man who gave
his name as Cough, made his way to Furiong's
raft, which proving insufficient for both, Il Cough
refusing to leave, Furlong left it and succeeded in
reaching cattle pen, upon which he reached the
shore. Cough was lost. - -af ---
The catastrophe is tie saddest one that has ever
on the Lake. About 800 lives were lost.