Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-09-13
Terrible Catastrophe!
The Steamer Lady ElgiR Sunk!
Over 800 Lives Lost !

The steamer Lady Egin, in the Lake Sup.
crior Line, which left here last night, was run
into by the schooner Augusta, of Waukegan,
at , o'clock this morning.
The steamer sunk in twenty minutes in 800
feet of water.
Only seventeen persons are known to be
saved including the clerk, steward and porter.
From $50 to 400 persons are said to have
been on board, and among them were the
Black 1agers, the Green Yagers and Rifles,
and several fire companies Of Milwaukee, who
were on a visit to this city
Col Lumsdeno of TIE Nelc- Orleans Picaguae,
and family, were on board, and are supposed
to be among the lost
At the time of the accident, the schooner
was sailing at the rate of eleven miles an
hour.
No accurate list or number of the persons
on board can be given, but the following is
estimated as nearly correct
Excursion party. ..'..'..'........... 800
Regular Passengers. ers..........-.........-5 SO
steamers crew................ 81
OF these, but 90 are saved.
Capt. MaIott of the schooner Augusta states
that when he first discovered the steamers
lights, both red and bright, he supposed her
to be from quarter to half mile distant, and
steering \. E. it was raining very hard at the
time we kept our vessel on her course East
by South until we saw a collision was probable
when we put the helm hard up; struck the
steamer two or three minutes afterwards Just
abatt the paddle-boX, on the port side the
steamer kept on her course, her engine in full
motion, headed the Augusta around north,
alongside the steamer, but they got separated
,.tl,C n 6 =.
the trough of the sea all the head gear, jib-
boom. and stauncheOns, were carried away
We took in sail, and cleared away anchor,
supposiug the vessel would fill. After clearing
the wreck, and got up the foresai we succeed.
ed in getting before the wind, and stood for
land. We lost sight of the steamer in five
minutes after the collision.
Mr.. Beman, second mate states Shat at
haIf-past 4 squaIl struck US five minutes
more, saw the lights Of the vessel one point off
port bow | sung ont hard a-port the vessel
seemed to pay no atteuton, and struck US
Just forward of this paddle-box, arboard side,
tearing off the wheel, and cutting through the
guards in the cabin hull. We were steering
y. W. by w, point to windward. Our
course at that time was Y. W. After striking
US, the vessel hCng for a moment and then
got clear. went below to see what damage
was done, and when | got back the vessel
vas gone.
When the intelligence of the loss Of the
steamer with the excursion party reached
Milwaukee yesterday, it spread like wldfre
throughout the city The telegraph o(Iice was
thronged all day with relatives and friends OF
those Oh board. Many who presented dis
patches were in tears, and the most intense
anxiety and excitement was manifested in the
countenances of all In the First Ward of
that city, it is said there is scarcely house or
place Of business, which has not lost some in,
mate or employee.
All the survivors unite in according to Capt
John Wilson, commander, praise for his great
bravery and daring throughout He was fore,
most in confronting the danger, and earnest
for the safety of the passengers lie was
drowned within hundred feet Of shore
Nearly one hundred persons arrived within
80 yards Of the beach, but were swept back
by the returning waves, and lost Up to 9
o'clock to night, only 81 bodies have been re-
covered, most Of which have been recognized
by friends as those of residents of Milwaukee