The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-14
The LOSS OF THE PEWABIC
Full Particulars of the Accident.
Statements of Passengers and others
Incidents and Heroic Deeds.
A Meeting of the Survivors

A Meeting OF the Survivors,
As the loss of the steamer Pewabic is now
the all-sbsorbing subject of thought and
feeling with large numbers of our resders,
we reproduce from the Detroit Advertiser
the following account Of the great disaster +:
On Wednesday night about half past 8
o'clock, the fine propeller Pewabic, Captain
George Mckay, on her way down from Lake
Superior to this port, when abreast of Tbun-
der Bay Island and shout six miles from
the light,collided with the propeller Meteor
Captain Wilson, upward bound, by which
the PeWabic was immediately sunk. The
evening was a tolersbly clear one, although
it had been somewhat rainy, and the lights
of each steamer were discsrnable by the
other at the distance of six miles. A mode
rate breeze prevailed and The water was
rough. The course of the PeWabic was on
the side towards the shore, and that of the
Meteor on tn opposite tack, by which they
would steer clear of each other. The move
ments of each steamer were plainly Observ-
ed by the crew as we'll as passengers upon
the other, and the fact of their coming to-
gether under such circumstances cannot be
explained except on the hypothesis Of an
almost u~naccountable blundsr on the part
of some one. When Captain Mckay saw
that a collision was evidently inevitable, he
blew his whistle as a signal to the other boat
to keep out of the way, which signal, so far
as is known, was not responded to. He then
e %Fhfef VOLTA tend 80 put her out of danger
by taking his boa farther in towards the
shore. From all we can gather, it is render
ed probable that the wheelsman Of the Ne
teOr, not having properly understood his
orders, or by mistake of some kind put his
-haa1 IN mort ipataad nf aonkraru AiraNfinn
which he ought to lave taken. He thus
brought his bow in a direct line with the
port side of the Pewabic, and the fact of
striking the latter so squarely in the side
would seem to confirm his theory of the
catastrophe; although it is possible that a
full investigation may present the affair in
q different phase so far as some particulars
are concerned. The BOW of the Meteor,
which are long and sharp, struck the Peva-
bic almost at right angles under the pilot
house, opening her TO the width oftwelve or
fifteen feet, and cutting her down to the
waters edge. Fhsre were probably at least
$50 persons on board, including the crew,
and condemnation ana dismsy at once fell
like palsy upon hearts which only 8 few brief
moments before over flowed with mirth and
gladness. The scene was ono which beg
CARS description, but was soon over. Within
four minutes of the collision the Pewabic
sank, carrying down with her from IS TO 100
persons, asnearly as the number can be es-
timated. Many of those on the lows of the
i'll fated steamer mad the presence of mind
to Jump on thedeck ofthe Meteor;Otherswere
saved from drowning by the herO.c exer-
tons of friends, and many were subsequent
ly picked up by the boats Ofthe Meteor. As
there were two or three sail vessels in the
neighborhOod, it is possible that q few of
those now numbered among the lost have
been picked up by them, but as the Meteor
remained near the scene of the disaster to
pick up ell hat could be found, this is like
hoping against hope.
Inasmuch as the statements below COM
prise full accounts Of the terrible affair, we
need add but little more. Mr.. L. L.
Mcknight, one Of the proprietors of the
line, manifested great courage and pre-
sence of mind, saving the lives of a number
of passengers.
If the accident had occurred q few hours
later, nearly all would have been wrapped
in sleep, and very few would have been
spared to recount the fearful tale.
The following is a statement maze by Mr..
Russell, the Secretary of the meeting of the
held on the Mohawk, which
brought them down to the city.
sTATEfnET OF Nh. RUSSELL
At shout 81 on Wednesday evening, 9th
inst, the propeller Pewabic, Capt. Mckay,
on her down trip, about eight miles from
shore, came in collision with the Meteor,
Capt. Wilson, on her upward voyage. The
struck the PeWsbic jusI under the
pilot house, literally smashing up her bow.
The boats we're running at the rate of about
twelve miles per hour, and the crash was
awful, causing the Pewabic to go down in
The short space of three or four minutes.
number were killed by the crashing tim
bers. But few of the passengers Of the
Pewsbic had time to jump from her decks
upon those of the Meteor, ere the wreck of
The Pewsbic sank entirely out Of sight be-
heath the 'seething waters. The sight was
and heart-rending as the cries and
yroans of the unfortunate passengers rose
Ipon the rolling sWells of the surging bill
The life boats of the Meteor were
and q number saved from watery
Mr.. jackson, the engineer, was q trusty
nan, and well calculated for the position.
de stood msnfully at his post, and, with
lis wife, went down with the boat. The
ear. that silent tribute, will often be shed
n honor of his valorous deed.
The steward, pilot, and all of the crew,
merit and will have our best wishes and
The night was foggy and ~forbidding, yet
t the time and before the collision occur
ed, they were seen respectively by each
ix miles of. There were about IT'S or 200
passengers on the Pewsbic. We have the
of IS of the passengers saved and 20
4 the crew.
We are unable to ascertain the number of
lost as near.ss it can be estimated it
) supposed to be about 20.
The Meteor remained near where the ]
Treek sank until morning, in order to pick
p the floating bodies. The Mohswk pass
az down, was signaied, and promptly came
, the rescue. The pumps of the Meteor
Iere worked for safety and precaution, as
had sustained a slight injury from the
hook. As soon as it was light, the boats ,
around among the floating debris .
pick up passengers, but SO long a time
elapsed that none were found. The $
was effsctually checked, and she pass I
i On her way up to Portage Lake. The
with the survivors of the Pewa-
C, came on to this city. The officers of
10 Mohawk hsve many hearty thanks for :
Ieir timely assistance.
HEROIC DREDs. :
Several noble and heroic incidents occur
d worthy Of mention, q or two in par