The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-16
LATE STEAMBOAT CALAMITY
Further Particulars OF the Collision Between
the Meteor and PeWabi0 on Lake Huron
Iron the Detroit Free Press, August IL.


STATEMENT OF w. H. Ii. RUSSELL.
AT about half-past eight o'clock on the
evening of the 9th inst. "Wednesday
the propeller Pewabic, Captain Mckay,
on her down trip, about six miles from
shore, came in collision with the pro-
peller Meteor, Captain Wilson, on her
up trip. The Meteor struck the Pewa-
bic just under the pilot house, literally
smashing up the bow. The boats were
running at the rate of about twelve miles
per hour. The crash was awful and
frightening, causing the Pewabic to go
down in the short space of three or four
minutes. A number were killed by the
crashing timbers, and but few OF the
passengers of the Pewabic had even
time to Jump from her decks on to those
of the Meteor ere the deck of the Pewa'
bic sunk entirely out of sight into the
seething waters. The sight was mos
! terrible and heartrending, and the erie!
| and groans ofthe unfortunate passengers
rose upon the rolling swells of the surg
| ing pillows. The lifeboats of the Meteor
were lowered in due time, and a number
saved froman untimely andwatery grave
Several noble and heroic incidents oc.
CURED worthy of mention. One or two
in particular, the most memorable of
which was performed by Miss Ada Brush,
of Detroit. This lady by her cool and
determined efforts, not only saved her
own life by expert swimming, but that
of Mrs. G. M. Wright, also of Detroit,
whose husband sank down with lady
clinging to his neck. Miss Brush saw
| Mrs. Wright struggling in the water
some distance from her, and with great
| presence of mind she swan to her, push
| ed floating spar up to her, and thus
| saved her from the fate of her cherished
! husband. The manifestations of such
fortitude on the part of the ladies will
ever be remembered by those who wit
messed the agonies Of that dreadful
night. Mrs. L. l.. Mcknight, of De-
| troit, and others W hose names have not
transpired, displayed on the awful occa'
sion a spirit and determination seldom
witnessed,
Captain Mckay was one of the last
upon the wreck and in leaving the sink
ing ship, of which he was so proud. He
saved the life of Miss James, of New
York. Mr.. Cleveland the mate, work
ed to the last, and cut loose one Of the
lifeboats just as the illfated Pewabic was
going down. He was one of the very
last on board.
Mr.. Mcknight did not leaveihe wreck
until he was taken up by one OF the crew
and thrown on the deck of the Meteor
The clerk, Mr.. Charles A. Mack, was
one of the first in the lifeboats, and
would not rest until he had rendered all
the assistance possible in his power. He
saved the second engineer before the
boats got into the water
Mr.. Jackson, the engineer, was trus-
ty man, and we'll qualified for his posi-
ton. He stood manfully at his post,
and with his wife went down with the
boat. The tears that bear silent tribute
will often be shed in memory of this val
orous deed.
STATEMENT OF o. c. WOOD.
About half-past eight or nine o'clock
on Wednesday night, while off Thunder
Bay Island, and several miles ahead,
we deserted the Meteor coming mp. III
was raining at the time, yet the nleht
was very bright. The passengers an
went forward to see the Meteor approach,
1t soon became evident that she would
collide with us. The passengers became
frightened and ran to the after part OF
the Pewabic orsafety. Captain Mckay
gave orders to have his helm put aport,
and the Pewabic had just commenced to
swing when the Meteor, whose helm had
been nut to starboard, ran into us, strik-
ing us almost squarely in the vicinity of
the pilot house. and cutting US down to
the waters edge. The confusion at this
time was Understandable. They were per-
fectlv panic stricken. Many escaped by
iumping on board the Meteor, while the
balance went down with the wreck,
which sunk in less than five minutes
after the collision. Some of the persons
employed on board the Pewabic, who had
retired, escaped to the Meteor with moth
ing on but their night-clothes. 1 was
standing in the saloon door when the Me-
teor struck us. l ran TO the aft part ofthe
boat and Intended to jump on board the
Meteor, but found the distance too great
to make the attempt. then got on the
hurricane deck, with the same object In
view, but had scarcely reached that
place before the Pewabic made fearful
lunge forward and sank. 1 was thrown
forward with great violence, and struck
instant found myself in the lake, among
portions of the wreck, the cabin having
broken to pieces. l swan to lifeboat
that l saw partially drifting, and at.
tempted to get into it, but was washed
off by heavy sea and carried towards
the Meteor. Entangled in the bulWarAs
of the latter steamer was the Droken
Flagstaff ofthe Pewabic, to which, clung
until rescued by rope let down ir on
the Meteor. Captain Mckay, OF ths
Pawabic, remained perfectly cool anu
collected, doing his utmost TO save the
messengers by preventing panic low
erino The boats &C.; but as his steamer
uanf down SO quick he was unable to
do DC much as he otherwise could have
done. The Meteor remained all night
in tbe vicinity of the catastrophe, and
picked up those of the survivors who
We're afioat on pieces of the wreck.
About six o'clock Thursday morning
the propeller Mohawk came along, and
the rescued passengers and those OF the
crew who were saved were transferred
and brought to this city. Nothing was
saved from the Pswabic,