The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-08-21
Collision on Lake Huron.


We find in the Detroit Adrertiser, of
Saturday, the following particulars of the
collision between the propeller Empire,
State and schooner Dunderberg on Lake
Huron:
Thursday night, while of Point aux
Barques, Lake Huron, Just at the northern
entrance to Saginaw Bay, collision oo
Cured between the propeller Empire State
bound up, and the thres-masted schooner
Dunderberg.
The Dunderberg was bound down from
Chicago, and had on board, besides her
crew, number Of passengers, including
MIR. aud Mrs. George Fairbrother, Mrs o.
Wilcox, Mrs. Harriet Larzsllier, and Mrs.
Il. Goddard, all OF this city, who had been
taking . trip Oh the lakes purely for enjoy
ment.
After tho collision occurred the propeller
Empire State hove to and rendered all the
assistance she could. All the passengers,
excepting Mrs. Wilcox, escaped from the
sinking vessel on board Of the propeller,
and were BY her conveyed down to Port
Huron, where they we're transferred 20 the
steamer Dove, 70 be brought to Detroit.
Their version Of the collision Is substantial
ly Is follows: The collision took place be-
tween 10 aRd ii clock. The night was
not dark by any means, and vessels could
be seen in various directions at distance
of three or four miles. Captain Green, of
the Dunderberg, with all his officers and
crew, were on duty at the time, and the
| former having previously announced that
he would not sleep on account OF their be-
ing in what Is regarded as dangerous part
oi the lake, flom the fact that it is always
more or less crowded with steamers and
sailing craft.
Some OF the ladies had retired to their
| state rooms, and one had undressed pre-
paratory 70 going to bed but, happily,
| none were asleep. One or two, including
Mrs. Wilcox, were upon the deck, aud MIR.
Fair brother was standing at his state room
window, looking out upon the LIKE.
All on board the Dunderbsrg saw the
Empire State approaching, but none ap
pretended any danger until she came near
the vessel, when, for the FIRST time, they
feared . collision. Every effort was made
by voice and gesture to signal the officer 10
charge of tho propeller to steer clear, but
everything proved unsvsiliDg.
a fearful crash followed. The propeller
struck the schooner between the main and
! misxen masts, on the port side, crushing in
her plauks aud timbers, and making hole
several feet in depth, Gua outing her down
below the waters edge. When it became
apparent that collision would occur, the
captain OF the DuHderberg ordered all his
passengers out Of the cabin, and they all
succeeded in getting upon the deck when
! the crash came.
Ths shock is described as fearful, aud the
impression among all hands il that the pro
peller vas under full headway, although it
| seems impossible that such could have been
the case. All the lights on the schooner
were knocked out and Of course = scene Of
| confusion followed. The ladies were much
| alarmed, and it was With the greatest diff.
Guilty that they eonld be taken care Of
They xere, with the exception Of Mrs.
Wilcox, finally got into the email boat of
| the Dunderberg, aud safely pu. on board
the propeller. In their hurry 10 escape,
however, they lost considerable clothing.
Mrs. Wilcox was standing on the deck
at the time of the accident. and has not
since been seen. 1t is impossible, there
fore, to tell whether she was killed or
Knocked over and drowned. The boat of
the schooner made several trips to her, but
nothing 80 far as is known, could be ascer>
| iaaed of Mrs. w. The Loat and crew, =.
we have before stated, remsncd in the vi
cinity of the wreck, and it is possible stat
they may have found the missing laiy, but
no serious hope is entertained that this
idea may prove correct.
Ths Dunderberg did not sink immediate.
ly after the collision, but remained in sight
quite long time. The captain of the pro-
peler had retired for the night, and hi,
6rst officer was On duty. The vessel and
propeler's lights were af burning brightly,
and j. IS impossible 10 toll just now Why the
| collieion occurred.
The nropeller's planks wsre considerably
loosened forward, and . steam pump has
been sent 10 hex assistance.