The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-09-03
PERILOUs ADVENTURE.
Two Men Capsized In q FishbOat-.
Rescued after being Five Hours
In the Water.


o'clock, Mr.. Lars Nelson, fisherman in
company with Mr.. Peter Nickols, re-
paired in sail boat, owned by the first
named gentleman, to the fishing grounds
in Lake Michigan, about four miles
from shore. A strong wind from the
west was blowing at the time and the
little craft glided through the water at a
rapid rate. Only short time was occu-
pied in reaching the gill nets, and the
work of taking them up was Immediately
commenced. After few hours of hard
labor, twelve nets were taken up, about
two barrels of white fish secured, the
sails hoisted and preparations made for
sailing back into our harbor. The wind
was still blowing from the west and the
boat had to ''tack" Nichols, having a
desire to steer the boat, Nelson went to
work overhauling the nets, preparatory
to hanging them out to dry upon reaching
the shore For time all went we'll and
the staunch little craft made good head
way against the strong head wind. About
II O. clock, when about II miles fron, The
shore, and while on the port tack" a
sudden gust of wind capsized the boat.
Nichols being unable to swim it was with
great difficulty that Nelson was enabled
to keep himself and his companion from
sinking, and only after great effort
reach the boat. Their situation can
well be imagined. A strong wind from
the west drove them every moment far
ther from the shore, and with it every
chance of being rescued, lessened. The
lake water, is not as warm as it is usually
at this season of this year, and there
limbs soon became numb. In their en-
deavors to cling to the boat, they caused
1T to roll over two or three times and it
was with great difficulty that they succeed
ed in keeping hold of it. After re-
naming in the water, for, what seemed
about an hour and half, Nichols became
senseless and only through the almost
superhuman exertions of Nelson, he
kept himself and his companio1 from
drowning At first they had hopes that
by chance some person on shore might
have noticed the capsizing Of the boat
and that they would hasten to their rescue
but unfortunately such was not the case
Hour after hour passed and still no signs
of being rescued. The efforts of Mr..
Nelson in holding on to his companion
was drawing heavily upon his strength,
but with determination worthy of all
praise, he resolved to keep Nichols above
water as long as possible. At last, when
his strength was nearly exhausted, he
noticed small boat to the north of him,
sailing in the direction of Manitowoc
The west wind kept the boat two
or three miles from the shore, and
heading fortunately, almost direct for the
wrecked fishermen. Nelson, on account
of holding on to his companion was uu-
able to make signals, and only by mere
chance the men noticed the cap
sized boat and rescued the two men from
a wartery grave. The boat which saved
Nelson and Nichols proved to be from
Two Rivers, bound for our harbor, and
was manned by three Frenchmen whose
names we did learn. Four out of the
twelve gill nets were also recovered At
first it was feared that the long exposure
of the men, would prove fatal to one cf
them, but we are happy to state that the
fears were unfounded and both are now
able to be about.