The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-11-06
From the Chicago Times, November

From the Chicago Times, Nosembcr 3.
The particulars concerning the loss of tho
propeller Congress, already briefly ait
nounced in the limos, are as follows: ,
The Congress, owned and commanded
by Capt. Hentig, was bound from Buffalo
for Chicago, and October 25 struck heavily
on North Point reef, Lake Huron, while 9
heavy sea was running The reef Is NOT
laid down on many Of the Charts, and We
are informed is very imperfectly described
on those charts which do mention it. The
propeller was loaded with Cargo Of sak
and apples in the hold. and with railroad
iron, stoves, and other merchandise on
deck. She at once commenced to pound
heavily, and it was found that it would b
impossible to tighten her in time to pre-
vent her going to pieces, the sea beating
against her with great force. The only
course remaining was to semitic her, which
was effected by let ing water in through the
sea cock. The captain and crew, EN- racing
| persons, started for the shore, two miles
distant, in the life boat, and effected safe
landing, though the life Coat was twice
hlled with the water and constant bailinR
was required on the other. The party
found some hshermen's huts on the beach,
and had taken up temporary quarter for aD
hour or so In shanty, when they were
alarmed by some hshermel running in cry
ing that the vessel was on fire. 1t was
found too true. She was Oh FIRE about
mldshps, and the confagration rapidly
spread until the whole vessel was burned to
the watef's edge. She became total loss, !:
though the engine and railroad iron will
probably be recovered. How the FIRE
caught is profound mystery, as oil 6rcs
had been put out before the crew left, uu,-
less, perhaps, that in the kitchen stove.
AS no such calamity as this had been antic.
ipated, the captain and crew had left alt
their clothing on board, aud not q thing
was saved except the books and papers,-
which the captain had the prudence to Car.
ry ashore with him. Captain Hentig and
his crew were then compelled to walk TO
Alpena, distance of I6 miles, through
ram, and over country an utter wi d r.
ness, and through which no road has ever
been pencd, and the captain describes the
the marsh as one of the most painful he
ever underwert. AT Alpena, where thew
arrIv q Oct. II q tug was procl r ID, and on
the 2oth the wreck was visited. She was
found broken 10 two, and it was at once ev.
ident that noting could then be done
eltL er for vessel Or cargo, but further prep
arxtions must be made in rider to get the
iron or the engine out, and Captaia Hentig
returned to Alpena, and thence to Detroit
The Congress was Quilt in Cleveland BY
Peck 4 Masters, in 1861, and was 1873 tons
burthen, old style. She was first called the
Detroit, and during the war was taken to
the seaboard She was brought back TO-
the lakes in SOC, and since then has been
known as the Congress. She rated lately
A 2, but was regarded as very staunch and
excellent boat. She was valued at $3O, ,OOO,'
and insured for $4,000 in the following
companies: National, Bo,ton, $500
Enterprise, Cincinnati, 5000; Westeth,
Buffalo, s.. 600, and Buffalo City, S2,5OG
Capt. Hcntig loses 81, 100 freight money
and his loss otherwise will be quite heavy.