Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-20
Loss of the steamer Caiaraot on Lake
Erie-InterestInE PRrticuinrn


On Sunday, the 10th inst, the propeller
Cataract was burned to the waters edge,
five miles off Erie Peninsula, on Lake Erie.
The Cleveland Herald gives the following
account, derived from the second mate of the
boat
AT about half past three o'clock on Sunday
afternoon, the boat being FIVE miles off Erie
PeniDsuls, au alarm of fire was given, Sec
oLd mate Wake was at the time off duty, but
sprang from his bed at the first alarm.
Before he could reach the forward deck he
heard Captain McNelly's order to lower the
boats Going upon k, officer Wake found
the crew. on the forward deck, the engine in
full play and the course Of the boat un-
changed. The fire had broken out so sud-
denly and spread 80 rapidly that the engineer
on duty had been driven from the engine-
room before the engine could be stopped.
There were barrels of alcohol slowed about
twelve feet forward of the boilers, and some
high wines nearer, but there was bulk-head
between this freight and the boilers. Those
who first saw the FIRE say its bursting out was
ike an explosion, accompanied by Kissing
sound, as of the escape of steam or passeS
long confined. When Officer Wake got on
deck, the after part of the boat was filled
With flames.
The light wind prevailing blew the flames
from the large boat on the deck aft, and
Officer Wake, with some hands, ATTEMPTED to
get this boat over for towing. While at
! work upon it, however, the boats course
changed, and the flames were blown directly
upon the men at work upon the boat and
they were forced to abandon it. Officer
Wakes hands were burned to a blister, his
eyebrows, whiskers aud hair singed by the
fire before be left the boat.
In the mean time the Captains party had
Inwara1 ha L. A
touched the water than dozen persons
jumped into it and it was cspsized. Officer
Wake sprang into the water and righted the
Loaf. Three men were missing. A second
time those in the water climbed into the
boat, and a second time it was overturned,
one man going down this time. The boat
was again righted, aud Officer Wake kept all
off the boat until it was bailed out when
those in the water got safely into it, The
clerk was among those in the boat.
Their propeller in the mean time was still
hOldiug her course down the lake, and by
the time the life. boat was finally righted,
was distant a quarter Of mile. The Cap.
tain, first engineer, carpenter, first mate aud
boy were on the forward deck. They pro-
cured life boards, and lashing them together,
jumped from the burning boat. The schooner
ST. Paul. Captain Moshier, was near by, and
squared away for the propeller. Captain
hoshier, finding he could not bring his
schooner up in time lowered a. boat and
picked up Captain McNelly and the carpen-
ter, who were together on a raft of life
boards. The engineer, one of the wheels
men, watchman, q boy, and the others who,
had taken to the life boards, were picked Up
by fishing boat from Erie, which had come
10 lend assistance. The tug Brooks, from
Erie, had been fired up whea the propeller
was discovered to be on FIRE, now arrived
and took on board the life boat containing
Second Officer Wake, the Clerk and others.
The Cdtaraees engine had by this time
inc Rraoks, then made fast ~ har anJ a .,aS
her under the east end of the Erie Peninsula,
where she was scuttled and sunk in, twelve
feet of water.