The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-03-29
A Cold Ride-Several Boys Embarked
on Pleasure Trip-Narrow Escape
of the Partv.

on Pleasure Trlp-NarroW Escape
of the Party.
The Milwaukee Sentinel of the 18th has
the following in reference to party of boys,
who started out from our neighboring en-
bryo city of Port Washington, on pleasure
excursion, ON the morning of Saturday, the
10th, which it will be recollected, was q
very cold snowy day in these parts:
On Saturday morning (the 10th inst } a
half dozen lads, between the ages of four
teen and seventeen, tempted by the clear
sky, the genial atmosphere, and the smooth
surface of the lake, embarked in small
sail-boat at Port Washington for a short
pleasure trip On the CLASSY bosom of Lake
Michigan Mcrriment ruled the hour, and
the boys, thriving away all care, sped be
fore the breeze at splendid rate. They
soon sailed several miles from land, and be-
fore they noticed it, they had got out OF
sight of the shore. The sky was clear,
however, and the air bracing, and this did
confident that their consummate seaman
ship would bring them once more TO land.
q But the sky soon became overcast, and
|+hsswaves began to rise. Alarmed at the
prospect Of storm, the adventurous gazrg
seamrn esxayed to put in forth H&,
But theSsSad lost their renk6biig ss95
being without chart or compnass ssfereNlfsls Il
nletely hefngges They steers 4HS 6e
as.,g e. ~ - sIssf.2c atasa,. hnpissM r
B sax Nsnis UsIeet + iiith sso4 aasise theEa
some clue to their whereabouts Mean
time the waves continued to rise, and the
snow began to fall in ftful furries, and af-
terwards to fy in binding sheets The
waves occasionally dashed over their frail
bark and wet them thoroughly. They soon
bee became chilled through, but, being deter
mined to stand it out as long as possible,
they worked at the oars with vigor.
But as time progressed and they could
discern no sign Of land, their courage fell,
and despair seized upon some Of the party.
As night began to fall, their fate seemed
hopeless indeed. The boys who had SO re,
Gently left their comfortable homes and
kind parents, were now tossed upon the
wild tempestous sea, with no hand to guide
them, cold, hungry and forlorn, with scarce.
prospect The case was hopeless indeed
frail bark seemed to howl their requiem
crest, and they fell into the trough of the
sea, it seemed as if they were to be swallow
ed up by the raging pillows. The situation
was enough to appal the stoutest heart.
One or two of the party overcome by cold
hunger and fatigue, and paralyzed by the
peril of their situation, lay down in the bot
tom of the boat and gave vent to their grie
in bitter, scalding tears. The remainder
kept manfully at their posts, rowing with
might and main, and keeping the boat will
prov facing the pillows.
Towards 9 clock the sky began to clear
and when the snow had ceased, JOY upor
ioys they were within full sight of land
| while a little to the south was the city o.
| Milwaukee, clearly discernable in the moon
light.
Every person in the boat seized an oar
and with right good will bent to thei
work, aud IN quarter of an hour they
were in the surf A few srcng efforts anC
they were through the surf, and the boa
was bea,hed on North point; while will
eager feet the half dozen young adventurer
hastened towards a house near by, and ap
piled for food and rest. Their appearance
was so forlorn, and their story SO strang
I and romantic, that the heart Of the pro
prietor of the house was moved, and h
took them in, fed and warmed then
and gave them comfortable beds II. whicl
to rest Yesterday morning they startet
back to their homes on foot, fearing t.
again trust the treacheIous water. 1t
almost miracle that they escaped beinl
| either wrecked or frozen Or starved t
deaths