Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-11-25
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
EATuRDAY. NOVEMBER 25.lls76.
The Late Captain Pelky.

| AAO A/tAtC EclAys
The Chicago Inter-Ocean of the 18th
inst. says mo man on the lakes was bet
ter known that Capt. Paul Pelky, who
lost his life day or two since, as already
announced, OH the tug Bennett, in the
straits, lie was an Indian, and had
spent his entire life ION the lakes. That
he was good sailor and one of the very
best pilots, iflnot the best, it IS, needless
to state. BE has beer known as such for
many years. He was as deaf as an adder.
but this in no way interfered with his
efficiency when on board. Old naviga-
tors who have sailed with Capt. Pelky
say he knew the lakes from end to end
knew every rock and reef, and knew 10
calities to avoid, even though the charts
offered no suggestions. Indeed, the
charts have only within few years
caught up with Capt. Pelky's knowledge,
il they have caught up at all. lie was Il
most remarkable man, and had the re-
spect of every one with whom he came
In contact. lie has had command i'm his
day of various propellers, and before go
ing into the tug Bennett the present sea-
son sailed and partly owned the schooner
Penfield. He was bluff in his manner.
but somehow made hosts of friends, and
bis untimely death was Yesterday gen
eral topic OF conversation in shipping cir
cles, every one having kind word to
sayof him, or some incident to relate
that reflected creditably upon him."
The deafness of Capt. Pelky was pro-
duced by severe cold which he took a
number of years since,and which was oc-
casioned by thefollowing incident i'm his
eventful life as a navigator and pilot. 1t
had become late i'm the season, and the
Lake Superior mining region was with
out the necessary supplies of provisions
and powder on which to subsist the peo-
pie and carry on their mining operations
during the winter. Owing to the late
ness Of the season, it was difficult to char
ter vessel to convey these necessaries to
that section. Capt. Pelky was at that
time in command OF Il vessel, and char
ter was made with the owners to carry
the supplies, etc., to their destination. |
Captain Pelky started on the voyage, and
proceeded without any serious difficulty !
uutiI he had entered Lake Superior, |
when the weather turned very cold and |
the lake commenced freezing and formed |
Ice so thick that it was with difficulty the |
vessel could proceed. Capt. Pelky, how
ever. knowing the necessities of the peo-
pie in that region, determined to make |
the journey if it was possible to do so.
In working through the ice it cut hole
in the side of the vessel, and she began to |
leak. the water coming in faster than the
pumps could take it out. Captain Pelky |
and men worked laboriously until nearly
exhausted, and yet the water was fast
gaining npon them, and it began to look
rs if their time had come-that the YES
sell and all on board were destined to a
watery grave. The Captain, as last re-
sort, upon getting the vessel along side
Of cake of ice. got out upon the ice to
Try and discover where the leak was and.
f possible, stop it. A brief search re-
7ealed its location, and the Captain pro-
,eeded to make his arrangements for
stopping it. The severe exercise in his
,ndeavors to keep his vessel afloat had
covered him with perspiration, yet, in
his condition, with bunch of oakum in
Dis hands, he plunged into the icy waters
II the lake and succeeded in stopping
he hole SO that the pumps could keep
he water clear, but the cold bath result
I'd in the severe cold which left Captain
'elky almost iutterly, deaf The vessel.
however, reached her destined port, thus
aving the inhabitants'o of that region un-
old sufferings from want of provisions
nd enabling them to carry on their
mining operations during the winter.