The New York herald., 1873-09-17
THE LAKE MICHIGAN DISASTER.
Particulars Of the Loss Of tho Steamer Iron
sides-statement OF the Clerk and
Passsnger-Ths Vessel sunk
in Forty Fathoms
Of Water.


Special dispatches from Grand Haven. Mich.
give the following account OF the laundering OF the
propeller lronsdes or that port yesterday. N b.
Watkins, the clerk oil the boat, says
We lett Milwaukee az forty minutes past nine
O'Clock Sunday night, with nineteen passengers
and crew OF thirty men, and were due In Grand
Haven between five and six O'Clock Monday morn
ing. The cargo consisted OF 5000 bushels of wheat
500 barrels OF -four, 125 barrels OF pork and some
miscellaneous articles. This was very large
CARGO since the boat could only carry l,lOO TONS
moderate breeze was blowing rom the southwest,
which constantly increased until 1t became
TERRIFIC GALR
before daylight. l did not get up before nine
O'Clock, when the boat was rolling fearfully. I'M
mediately went below and found the men working
at the pumps. The water had already put out the
fires and the engines were useless. then went to
the ONCE and got the passengers register, the
money and the manifests ana went on the nurri-
cane deck, where found Captain Sweetman get
ting the foresail In. He was perfectly self-pOs-
sessed, and the men obeyed his orders promptly.
We then were about three miles from the shore.
THE SIGNAL OF DISTRESS
had been raised at halfpast nine O'Clock. About
ten O'Clock the passengers all put on life pre-
servers, Tor 1t was evident the vessel must go
down. At twenty minutes past eleven the
Captain ordered the boats TO be manned.
In the first boat all the lady passengers
except one was placed. In the second boat there
took charge OF the third boat, which carried
seven passengers, including one lady and two OF
the crew, besides myself all OF whom were saved
After ] had pushed OF l saw two or three other
boats leave the wreck, in one OF which supposed
the captain TO be. Ny boat was hardly hall u mile
from the lrOnsides when she sunk stern foremost
about five miles from shore. IL was ten minutes
past twelve when she disappeared. She was est-
mated TO be worth wort about sll5ooo She was thor;
one Of the stanchest ooats on the lake.
THE STATEMENT OF A PASSENGER
Mr.. n f. Ripley, OF Lowell Mass, a very intelli-
gent young man, who was one OF the saved, gives
the following additional particulars The sea was
so rough little after midnight that | could not
sleep, though accustomed to the water. Before
daylight the boat rolled so desperately that every
movable thing was smashed about the yes
was between seven and eight O'Clock when we
came in sight Of the harbor and it was so rough
a nat II Gould sse the ps
houses and the vessels on the beach,
and wondered that no one came to our RELIEF. 1t
was sad sight. The passengers stood In silence
with their lie preservers on, knowing that in
few moments they would be at the mercy Of the
breakers, but
ALL WE'RE CALM AND sKLF-possEssED.
Captain Sweetman behaved with the utmost
GOODNESS and courage, and the crew Obeyed every
order readily. We were all washed out OF the boat
in which we lett the steamer when within thirty
rods OF the shore, but were rescued by those on
tnc DeaCu In the InOSC Rdl8QC way. L was plckeO
up unconscious, but am all right now. The Captain
said 1t was the toughest sea he had ever seen on
the lakes. Those familiar with the shore say that
the water where the lrOnsldes went down Is at
least forty fathoms deep.
Additional Details or the Disaster.
GRAND HAVEN, Mich, Sept. 18-Evening.
The propeller Ironsides lett Milwaukee on Sun.
day night on time, but owing to its being Sunday
the list OF passengers was not very large there
49,
thirty-two seamen, and one not registered.
The steamer hove IN sight OF this port ut seven
O'Clock A. M, but did not attempt to make port on
account OF the nigh sea and the number of vessels
and barges which went on the beach In attempt
ing to make port. The steamer headed seaward
again and at nine O'Clock appeared to be about
nine miles out. She was seen to have fires in
her engines until about ten O'Clock. when
no more smoke was to be seen from
raised. but she had been leaking considerably, and
the water gained on the men at the pumps 80 last
down. The passengers were all supplied with life
preservers. and stood ready, at a moments warn
ing TO TAKE 10 tne Ponts a. twenty minutes past
mander, ordered the life boats to be got in readi-
ness and launched. The first boat contained
all the ladies but one. Tne second con.
tained ten or twelve OF the crew and
passengers. In the third was Mr. Wat
named name Miss wsrd Ave passengers ana two of 't tns
crew. There were two more boats seen to leave
the steamer after the third had lett. The last one
steamer before she went down, and was drawn in
the whirlpool and swamped. The steamer sunk at
Whc e e r
and only one of the passengers succeeded
succeeded in reaching the snore, but only with the
assistance OF those on the shore, who hearing OF
the terrible calamity, rushed to the beach, which
W. q nod abOut Tnilqs thr
fourth and fth boats could not be reached In time
to offer any. possible succ0r.
So high was the wind that the boats were driven
ashore before any person could get to them. AS
the boats approached the shore and all were over
turned d IN the Snr strong ron men ana ma expert swim
ner everybody, dead or alive, that was seen was
recovered. SO terrible was the sea that no assist
ance could possibly be rendered to the doomed
steamer and her living freight.
The propeller Lake Breeze, which was in port
s sS TO o se an aa
disabled in the attempt, and narrowly escaped
going on the beach. She dropped her anchor and
bodies recovered which were not cared for by
friends who recognized them will be tenderIy
Of IF i ladies' ' and gentlemen Of our city,
who voluntarily and willingly offered their
services in .tx6g taking >, care snoe 81 the bodies
for by friends. All possible means have been used
to notify relatives aud friends by telegraph the
to the call. There nave been up to this time eighteen
bodies recovered. All have been identified with
the exception OF one.
The following is q list OF those drowned whose
bodies have been recovered and identified, with
their respective places Of residence GO II. peni-
son. OF Ada, Mich; Campbell and smith, deck
hands, initials OF names ana residences not known;
John Drsco, CLERK Of the boat; John Hlles, Lum-
Der and Planning Min Company; Mrs. Dewitt, Mrs..
II. A. valentine and son; Captain II. Sweetman,
commander of the Ironsides: Robert McGlue,
first engineer or the boat. all OF Milwaukee;
Charles Wilmell, agent Of q. +. Harling Co., New
York: Jeremiah Smith, OF Grand Haven; +. III.
Billings and wife, OF Albion. Ind; Mrs. Hassel
perck, OF Port Washington, Wis. James Hearey
and Harry Hughes, fremen; Edward lyle and
James Brown, greasers
The following is list of the saved as far as can
be ascertained. Some OF the rescued are supposed
to have left before their names could be eecured:-
N. L. Watkins clerk or the boat; sam Watkins, OF
Milwaukee; Christopher Drisc0l, cabin boy Frank
Carkey, second porter; james Smith, pantry boy;
Dan Driscoil, head waiter.
Dan Drscoll, head waiter; Mike Crosson, first
mate; Al. Pittman, second mate; Charles Bed
ford, lookout; George C0wen, second engineer Will
liam Donelson; Andrew watson, second cook Felix
Riley, first porter; Henry and Al. Scuttle wheels