Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-04-25

LOSS OF THE STR. SEA-BIRD ON
LAKE MICHIGAN.
The statement OF One of the
Survivors.
From the Daily Wisconsin. Milwaukee.

the burning steamer by a small boat
sent from the schooner Cornelia, as
made TO the reporters of the Chicago
papers
ALBERT G. CHAMBERLAIN STATEMENT
went aboard the steamer Sea Bird
at 3 O'Clock p. m, on the afternoon OF
Wednesday, the 9Th inst, at Sheboy-
gan. There was a very heavy sea at
the time, so much SO that the hands
aboard were unable To get a gang
plank to the shore. They threw the
baggage on and off the boat with the
greatest hurry and dispatch, the Cap
tam saying, "Come, hurry up, men,
hurry mp" About ten passengers got
aboard the steamer at Sheboygan, all
bound for Chicago. Three ladies got
aboard here, only one of whom l knew.
Her name is Miss Sprague and she
belonged in Sheboygan Falls. She
was on her way to visit some relatives
in La Crosse.
We reached Milwaukee at half past
9 o'clock on Wednesday evening. Here
we took aboard passengers and freight,
among the latter a valuable horse.
believe that about so passengers got
on here, but / understand that SINH
lar number got off We got away from
Milwaukee at half-past 10, and reached
Kenosha at midnight. at this point
the weather was quite moderate, and
the sea not at all boisterous. We got
away from Kenosha in the course of
half an hour. As near as can judge
there were at least 100 passengers on
board when took passage at Sheboy-
gan. / estimate the number of passen-
GERS from the fact that the tea table
which would comfortably seat so, had
to be set three times. The two first
times 1t was well filled, and goodly
number sat at the third. / think that
with the crew, there were 125 souls
aboard. We reached Racine at O'Clock
a. m. When we were at Racine 1 was
in bed. / slept In the forward cabin
sGate-room, No. %. The taking of
and putting on of freight at Racine !
should Judge occupied from 10 to 20
minutes.
THE FIRST ALARM.
When we were off, about as near as
can reckon, eight miles southeast OF
Waukegan, I was awakened from 8
sound seep, by an indlstiBct rumbling
noise. At first thought the crew were
| fighting, and so hurried on with my
clothes as fast as possible, so that
might be on hand to see the fun. When
/ opened my state room door, found
everything in the direst confusion. The
tables had been set for breakfast, and
everything was all ready for an early
meal. The reckless and Mortified pas.
sengers were rushing in hot haste to the
forward part of the boat No tongue
can possibly describe the horror
of the scene at this period. Men, wo
men and children, many of them with
the most fimsy projections against the
cold morning air, in the way of cloth.
ing, rushed toward the forward Opening.
All sorts of fearful cries saluted my
ears, which fairly make me shuddeI
when think of them. The screams
of the terrified women, rushing past en-
dishabi.le, the cries of the children, the
heavy imprecations and shouts of the
men, Joined with the cracking of the
flames, the noise of the engine, and the
roar af wind aud water=altoeether-
combined such a scene of confusion
that had never expected to be a wit
ness Of in this world. Looking round,
/ perceived that the after part of the
cabin was filled with smoke, and mott
ced now and again quick, angry forks
of flame shooting through it.
Having noted these matters in few
moments time, returned to my state.
room aud picked up two cork life pre-
servers, with which l started for the
forward deck. The flames made such
extraordinary Roadway that it did not
seem to me five minutes time before
the whole hurricane-deck was afire.
The lower decks were, as yet, untouch.
ed.
TRYING MOMENTS.
As soon as / could recover my mo-
mentary confusion, / looked around
for Miss. Sprague, but could not find
her, after the most diligent search.
She went to bed early, and 1 think
that she was burned TO death, as /
think that very probably right under
her state room, or IN the vicinity OF it,
the fire originated. She was a very
fine, promising young lady, about 10 or
20 years OF age.
Upon reaching the forward decks.
and noticing the condition of things, /
went down to the lower deck to see
what chance there was for safety in
that direction. Here found portion
of the crew making a great noise, and
trying to get horse overheard, with
the assistance of which, / suppose,
they intended to make an effort for the
shore.
Finding that could not live here on
account of the smoke, ! assembled
again to the upper deck and helped
the second mate, LeanGer Packard,
tear away as much as we could of it in
order to stop the progress of the
flames towards the bow. When I COM
menced to help the second mate iD
this work took off my overcoat to
give me greater facility of movement.
After we had done as much tearing
away as found practicable, put on my
oveTcoat again, and then it was / found
the great benefit of it against the raw,
cold air. At about this time a man
standing near me, and noticing that 1
had two life-preseTvers, asked me for
one, which gave him At this time
it was quite broad daylight, and /
SuOulu JuuS6 Dct"Sch " duu U CiOCh.
There was very heavy sea, and it
seemed to be increasing In volume. /
stood among the crowd that was hud-
died together near the forward part of
the bow, and it was while standing
here that / noticed Captain Morris,
without hat, and in his shirt sleeves,
talking with some of the men. He
appeared to be quite calm, and formed
a remarkable contrast in appearance to
the frightened and panic.sticken men
gathered about him.