The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-06-07
Burning of the Steamer Wisconsin
Thirty Lives Lost.

The steamer Wisconsin, was burned near
Cape Vincent, on Lake Ontario, on the
night of Tuesday, the 2lst ult. The Og-
densburg IN " Journal, of the 25th ult.,
publishes the following statement of a pass
enger, In regard to the calamity:
The steamer left Cape Vincent at 10: 30
clock When about seven miles above,
and abreast of Grenadier Isla nd, the cry of
fire was started. Mr. A. had not retired,
and was one Of the first to rush to the
point of fire. 1t broke out on the main deck
over the boiler, and near me- the smoke stack,
and spread rapidly. The captain behaved
most GOODNESS throughout the trying ordeal
He was ably assisted by the second mate,
who was the last man to leave the burning
vessel. The steamer was at once headed
for Grenadier island, and the pony or force
pump set to work to check or put out the
fire, but all efforts in this direction were
unayailing. About twenty minutes after
the fire broke out the steamer struck the
shore on GreHadier. One of the boats was
lowered for the purpose of landing the
passengers, but it had hardly struck the
the water before it was filled and swamped.
The frantic passengers, and those of the
crew who were more intent in making their
own escape than saving the lives of others,
jumped from the upper deck, some striking
in the boat and some in the water. Those
in the water caught the sides of the boat.
and thus, by overlooking, swamped her
1t was by the swamping of this boat that
the loss of life occurred, and the total NUN
Der, he thinks will reach twenty-five or
thirty. But two persons in this mass were
saved-Mr. Chisholm, who lost five of his
family, and Mrs. Gallagher who was picked
up mile from the wreck three hours af-
ter she grounded. Mrs Gallagher had
caught hold of a plank, and she was noticed
floating away. Search was made twice be-
fore she was finally rescued, and when picked
up she was nearly exhausted. The gang
plank was launched and rope taken ashore,
and down this rope the passengers were
passed to the shore the captain standing
ia the water up to his neck. and handing
them toward the land, while the second
mate superintended the launching. A few
feet from the vessel the water was shallow
enough for six tooter to keep his head
out of water. There were several small
children on board, all of whom were saved
One child, eight months old, was taken by
one of the crew from the arms of its mother.
The gallant fellow jumped overheard and
bore his little charge safe to land
Those of the passengers who had retired
did not have time even to dress themselves.
and saved only their night-clothes: Had
| the fire occurred mile above or below the
spot where it did, it is Mr. Ashworth'
opinion that few would have been saved
The people residing on Grenadier Island
did their utmost to relieve the necessities
and administer to the wants of the passen-
gers. Up to Wednesday afternoon, al
clock, fourteen bodies had been recov
cred, and the crew were still prosecuting
the search. 1t is proper to state that there
are two islands in the upper St, Lawrence
named Grenadier-one about 80 miles
above Cape Vincent. Not one of the pass
engers or crew save an article Of any kind
beyond what they wore when the cry of fire
was raised. The rescued passengers anc
crew were brought to Cape Vincent by Tho
steamer WatertoUn, and the ladies and cit
izens of that place were unremitting in thei
efforts to supply the wants of the sufferer
with food and clothing.