Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-09-24
Loss Of the IrOnsides.

The propeller Ironsides of the Ensle
mann Line running between Milwau.
kee and Grand Haven, foundered at
sea Monday morning, September 9Th
The following is full account of the
disaster:
GRAND HAVEN, Mich, Sept. 49,
The propeller Ironsides left Milwau-
kee on Sunday night on time, but
owing to the day being Sunday, the
list of passengers was not very large,
there being but nineteen on the regis,
ter. There were thirty two seamen
and one not registered. The steamer
hove in sight off this port at 7 A. NJ,
but did not attempt to make the port
on account Of the high sea and the
number of vessels and barges which
went on the beach in attempting to
make the port The steamer headed
seaward again, and at 8 O clock appear
ed to be about nine miles out.
She was seen to have fires under
the boiler till 10 o'clock, when no
n.ore smoke was to be seen from her
smoke~tacks. Tbe foresails were then
raised, but she had been leaking con
slder.bly, and the water gained on the
men at the pumps SO fast that at Il
o'clock it was evident that she must 60
down. The passengers were all sup
piled with life preservers, and stood
ready at a moments warning to take
to the boats. At Il::20 Capt Sweet
man, who was comm ,nder, ordered the
life boats to be got in readiness and
launched. The first boat contained
all the ladies but one. The second
contained 10 or Il of the crew and
passengers. 10 the third there was
Mr.. Watkins, the clerk Of the boat,
one lady named Miss Ward, five pas
sengers and two of the crew. There
were two more boats seen to leave the
steamer after the third had left, bat it
Is thoug ht the The last one did not
leave IN time 70 get far enough from
the steamer before she went down, and
and was drawn into the whirlpool and
sWamped. The Gamer sunk at 1890
gong down stern first.
The first boat containing the ma
jority of the ladies was capsized ard
only one or the passengers succeeded
in reaching the shore.
The second aud t;.ird boats succeed
ed in reaching the shore, but only with
| the assistance Of those on shore. who,
hearing of the terrible calamity, rush
ed to the beach by multitudes in tugs
which voluntarily carried all persons
back and forward as fast as possible.
The beach was lined with people for
about two miles, but the fourth and
fifth boats .scould not be reached in time
to offer any possible succor. So high
was the wind that the boats were driven
ashore before any person could
get to them, and all were overturned
in the surf. Strong men and expert
swimmers formed lines in the water,
and in this manner everybody, dead or
alive, that was seen was recovered
So terrible was the sea that no as.
sistance could possibly be rendered to
to the doomed steamer and her living
freight. The propeller, Lake Breeze,
which was in port and owned by the
same company, made an attempt to 60
to the assistance of the boats, but were
disabled in the attempt and narrowly
escaped going on the beach among the
barses and vessels which went on in
the morning. She dropped her anchor
and lay there till towed off in the after
noon.
The bodies recovered which were
not cared for by friends who recog-
nized them were tenderly cared for
and dressed for burial by a committee
of ladies and gentlemen of our city,
who voluntarily and willingly offered
their services in taking care of the
bodies until they should be identified
and cared for by friends, Every pos
sibIe means have been used to notify
relatives and friends by telegraph of
the sad occurrence, and not few have
answered quickly to the call. There
has: been up to this time of writing,
eighteen bodies recovered, all identi-
fed with the exception Of one. Follow
ing is list Of those lost whose bodies
have been recovered and identified
with their respective places of resi-
dence G. Fl, Denison, of Ada, Mich
Campbell and Smith, deck hands, in-
itials of names and residence not
known; John DriscolI, clerk of boat
John Hiles, Lumber and Planning Mill
Company, Mrs. Dewitt, Mrs Il. A.
Valentine and son 5 years Of age, Capt.
Harry Sweetman, commander of the
Ironsides, Robert McGlue, First -Engi-
neer of the boat, all Of Milwaukee !;
Charles Wilmell, agent of G. E. Har-
ling & Co., New York Jerome Smith,
of Grand Havsn; Mr.. F. Fl. Billing
and wife. Of Albion, Ind. Mrs. Hasel-
bortL of Port Wacb;, ,ton VIC .