, 1872-10-16

HE LOST STEAMER.
Arri7a! in Chicago OF Survivor Of
i: til: L:e 4: :;:';e Disaster.
His Statement Of the Circun-
stances Of Her Loss.
History Of the Steamer. ..0nce Before at
tlle Bottom Of the Lake.

tile Bottom 0f the Lake.
nIr. John Gee, Of Whitehall, Mich, one Of
the survivors of the Lac la Belle. which found
dered in Sunday nights gale near Racine. Tas in
TIE TRIBUNE Office yesterday morning. He
states that he was in the yawl, the first boat to
leave the sinking Steamer, with eleven persons
on board. Their names are as follows: John Gee,
Whitehall, Mich. E. Rich, Pentwater, Mich; Rose
Rich, Pentwater, Mich; Mrs. Smith, Watertown,
Wis; son Of Mrs. Smith; Dennis Long, Racine,
first porter; Dennis Regan, Milwaukee, greaser
George Jones, Milwaukee, cabin boy; joint
Duffy, Milwaukee, cabin boy; Olif Thompson
Milwaukee, pantry boy: 4. B. StarRweather,
Madison, Wis, fireman; Henry johnson, Chi
cago, second porter. There were
FIVE MEN N TIE WATER,
clinging to lifepreseryers when the yawl left the
steamer. The sea WAS go high that they could
not have been rescued. The yawl was pickedu mp
on Monday afternoon at o'clock by the
schooner Kate L. Brace, Of Chicago. Captain D.
". Barnes, about 10 miles of Racine. The crew
OF tbs yaWl we're all saTed. Mr. Gee pays the
highest compliment to the courage and skill Of
Dennis Long, one of the cabin boys. who, with
an oar only, steered the boat With consummate
ming, she did not ship drop OF water.
TIE STEAMER
was loaded with grain in bulk, and was bound
for Grand Haven. It appears from Nlr. Gees
statement that, while IN view of the ironworka
in Milwaukee, the steamer stove in one of her
headlights, and the water poured in in torrents.
4 leak was also sprung forward which no exer-
stop. Finding that the case vas becoming CRIT
ical, the Captain ordered the vessel put about
and the pumps rugged. These orders we're
promptly executed, and the steamer headed
once more for Milwaukee. The pumps
could be spared from working the chip wore put
TO work on the hand pumps. Their efforts in
keeping down the water we're slightly successful
for little while, but'the grain began to clog The
pu1nps, and in few moments they we're useless.
All hopes Of saving the vessel were further
ended BY
TIE WATER RISING TO TIE FURNACES,
and putting out the fires. The vessels forward
rolled and plunged in the trough, the water
pouring into her in torrent. Her fate appeared
inevitable, and. slight as the chance was Of sur
vlving the storm in an open boat, there was no
alternative but to launch the tiny craft.
TEE sHp's BOATS.
There we're t~o me-boats. two smaller boats,
and the steamers yawl, with q crew OF thirty
tEo men, and twenty-one pasaengers, including
lowered was the yawl, which contained Alr. Gee
and the names given above. The second boat
contained five or six ladies and 9 good crew.
One Of the boats contained Mr. Sanderson, the
ert Fogg, Louis Oerhsten, and Rebecca Camp
bell. The Captain, Mr. Thompson, was the last
man to leave the vessel, and saw four OF five
men aboard who refused obstinately to leave,
and Te1e undoubtedly drowned.
AccoUETED FOR.
The boats are all now accounted for. One
landed at Milwaukee,, two at Racine, one at
Kenosha, and the fifth YVES picked up by the
schooner as related by MI. Gee.
THE LAC La BELLE
fsas years old, Was /, 1856 tons burden, built in
Cleveland and considered q valuable and sea-
worthy craft. Shortly after her engagement in
St. Clair River, by q colliaion With tie schooner
Milwaukee, and ley at the bottom of the river
Tor three years. On being raised and repaired.
she was purchased BY Mr: Engleman, OF Mil
On ' The ~ line between that port and
sssooo, Aatsn and Insured Sns l&s for u s1oooo
Her cargo consisted OF 10,so0 bu Of barley in
dour, Is hrls Of whiskey, 20 tons of feed, and So
brls of pork. Whether the cargo was insured
fs not known.
CAUSE OF TIE DISASTER.
Considerable uncertainty prevails about the
csnse Of the disaster. The vessel VAS duly in
epected before leaving, and found in excellent
condition. One theory Of the leakage attrib-
utes it TO the shifting Of the cargo, but the
McGee; that dead Light stove in, and she
shipped water from that source.
THE OFFICERS.
The officers Of the iu-fated steamer we're "a
follows:
'Captatn.-H. ". Thompson.
FS7at Adte-Ed. Carney.
Second Nate-James Archer.
Second E1gineer--wm. Leary.
Czevk-Wn. Bandersop.
S1s.oa1d-David Martin.
Observation-Disclosures Campbell.
ANOTHER STATEMENT.
The Milwaukee Net1s, Of yesterday, contains
The following statement Of William Monroe, the
cook Of the Lac Is Belle:
william Monroe, the cook, was the most connected
and complete in his account Of the matter. He said
that the boat left on time, Sunday evening. Be-
busly engaged in throwing the freight overheard. He
In i wss no ass ase and ore2ed him IT to put
crackers and three pals In each boat. They could
down at about $50 she sank stern rst, going down
eaaiIy TIL her decks we're even with the water. The
upper works parted from the hull as she sank The M
boat went down. Theirs we're twelve persons in
his bout Three we're passengers. They got to r.
The LAST he saw Of him he standing in the gang
and orderly and everything done Systematically.
He saw. sanderson, the clerk Standing by the
the boats t W vas S 50 cold tat tie % could not
row MI the time. The waves very high and
BRoEE cIgAn oyEA TIE BOAT
several times. The boat be In WAS the yawl. He
had to have bailipg all the time. All the boats
we're commanded by officers and sent off the Captain.
Mauy those in the boats had blankets to keep them
warm. One boat lett before lis, and two after him.
one went north with him, and two went soath. They
Captain :of the 6usquehanna, who took them to
tavern, where they warmed, and then took them
t. his boat and gave them good supper. Mr. Slauson
then took them in charge and sent them to this city.
He knows Of none that were lost, and IS confident
ereEy one'Was saved.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.