The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-11-06
LAKE NISASTER.
Wreck of the Schooner James Navagh-
Loss of Life-Terrible Suffering of
the Crew-Vessel and Cargo q total

from Milwaukee to Oswego with wheat
was wrecked about three miles north ol
Two Rivers on Friday night, October 90
She cleared from Milwaukee Friday after.
noon, the wind blowing fresh from the
southeast, and the sea rolling heavily.
Towards evening chilly, penetrating rain
commenced falling; and as the night ad
vanced the gale increased to storm which
has rarely been equaled in severity. Capt.
JOHN M. GRIFFIN, her commander, states
that the vessel struck about midnight
Until the moment The disaster occurred be
had no intimation Of approaching danger
He was steering, according to his compass
and as he and his crew supposed. on the
direct course for the MaDitous. The com.
pass, as it was afterwards discovered, had
got out of order, and to the reliance of the
crew upon the worthless instrument the
disaster is undou btedly due.
The crew of the Naragh consisted of
Captain GRIFFIN, two mates, five seamen,
and Mrs. MARGARET MILES, widow wo-
man who was employed as C ok. As soon
as the vessel struck, her stern was carried
away, taking her yawl>boat with it, and her
cabin commenced filling with water. The
sea making a clean breach over her, the
crew went into the (orecastle and attempted
to build fire. but the forecastle commenc-
ing to fill they were compelled to leave that
also, the water coming in so rapidly that
the last man out had to be pulled out with
ropes. The vessel was now nearly SUBJ
merged, and the unfortunate crew were
compelled to crawl out upon the bowsprit
and jibboom to keep above water. Here
they remained for ten (some of them for
more than twelve) hours, suffering every
thing but death. Every stitch of clothing
upon them was saturated with water, the
night was dark and intensely cold, and they
were benumbed and nearly exhausted. AZ
ter daybreak, finding they were not OBJ
served from the shore, it became evident
that something must be done to obtain sue.
cor, or all would soon perish. MICHAEL
. BRIEN, sailor before the mast, of
whose coolness and undaunted courage
Captain GRIFFIN speaks in the highest
terms of praise, volunteered to make the
perilous attempt. He stripped off his
clothing, and plunging into the lake, struck
out bravely for the shore, which was about
quarter of mile distant. A stiff cur>
rent, setting down the lake, carried him
about two miles to the northward before he
succeeded in reaching land. When he did
get ashore he was SO thoroughly chilled and
exhausted that he had barely strength to
crawl into an nnoccupied fish shanty near at
hand, where he covered himself up with
some hay and remained until he regained .
little warmth and strength, and then pro-
ceeded in quest of relief for his suffering
friends
In the meantime Mr.. Jos. GAaNoN, of
Two Rivers, had discovered the perilous
situation Of the crew of the wrecked vessel,
and fastened to the village for assistance.
As soon as possible two mackinaw boats
were brought down to the beach, opposite
the wreck. The first one was speedily
manned, and started for the vessel. A tre-
mendous sea was rolling in to the shore at
the time, and the gale had not abated in
violence, but no sense of personal danger,
nor the certainty of death itself, could de-
ter these noble>hearted men from making
the attempt to rescue the hapless people
who were dying by inches in plain sight.
The boat succeeded in reaching the vessel,
and, taking off the two mates, two of the
seamen and Mrs. MILES, attempted to re.
turn. This was about noon on Saturday.
The boat was twice overturned by the
! waves in returning, the last time in thu
surf near the beach, when those on the
shore waded out and rescued her ere Y and
passengers. Mrs. MILES, who had endured
every hardship during the night without &
murmur, was utterly exhausted and chillei
through, and half drowned by the capsizinf
ct the boat. Dry clothing was wrapped
about her, and she was placed in wagor
and driven to Two Rivers as rapidly as pos
sible, but died Immediately afterwards
She was about IS years of age, and the
captain speaks of her as q worthy woman
who was the only support of . vidowet
daughter and three grandchildren, who iv,
in Chicago.
Captain GRIFFIN and two seamen still
remained on the ill-fated vessel The othe
mackinaw was launched into the seethini
waters, and brave hearts and sturdy arms
were not wanting to, complete the work e
nobly begun. No nishap attended thil
second trip, which was made between twt
and three o'clock, and the three mea wer'
brought safely ashore The officers ant
crew Of the Naudgh express the warmes
gratitude to and admiration for the noble
self sacrificing men, through whose super
human exertions alone they were spared
from a terrible death. Two Rivers ha
reason to be proud of this heroic achieve
ment of her citizens. The following is th,