Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-11-10
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 10, 1877.
THE SCHOONER SENATOR'S DISAs.
TER.

The 'sTrue Inwardness'' OF the Whole
Affair-NVere the Extraordinary
Efforts of the Captain made to sell
the vessel to the Insurance Com.
Panies?
The TRIBUNE has in several instances
of late brought to public notice some
rather extraordinary actions on the part
of vessel captains whose vessels had met
with disaster, which had the appearance
of attempts to sell the vessel to the in
surance companies. However, we do
not deem it is the province of newspa-
per to draw conclusions concerning the
conduct Of individuals, but simply to
give the facts, and allow the public to
form its own opinion.
1t will be remembered that a couple of
weeks ago the TRIBUNE noticed the
stranding of the schooner Senator, on
DetOur Point, at the entrance of St.
Mary's river. Since that time we have
received information from what we deem
to be perfectly reliable source, which
we think it no more than justice to make
public. 10 retrospect little, we would
remark that the Senator stranded OH the
night OF the 18th of October. The night
was neither dark nor stormy. In the
words OF the captain, 1.-THE wind died
completely away, and there being five
mile current coming out of the river,
he drifted on" He did not cast anchor
perhaps it would not have held on it
he had; but so certain was he that it
would not, he did not try it. But be
that as it may, the morning came, and
the schooner was on the beach and leak
ing. The news of the disaster reached
the Sault, and tug and two pumps went
10 her assistance. The captain refused
to allow the pumps to 60 on board until
he had express orders from the insurance
companies-so the pumps went back to
the Sault, likewise the captain. While
there be changed his mind, and en-
plOyed the tug and pumps to 60 back,
On the 23d the pump had been put on
board, and it was found would rapidly
lower the water in the hold. On this day
the wrecker Loviathan passed by and
took a look at the craft, and offered to
take her off. This assistance was refused.
| Within three hours after the Leviathan
! left, the captain announced. his deterinin-
alton 10 abandon and strip the vessel,
his excuse being that the suction pipes
of the pumps could not be got down
| through the coal to the bottom of the
vessel, and therefore il would be impos-
siblc TO pump her out. The following
morning he proceeded to strip the yes
sci, and before night nothing but her
standing rigging remained. Ali up to
this time the weather had been very IA
yOrable, III fact the schooner lay in a
very sheltered situation, with reef on
each side of her. On the 26th. MI Nick
ersOn, insurance agent, OF Cleveland, ar
rived, and sent to the Sault tor pumps,
and telegraphed for the Leviathan, but
before that tug could get there he had
the Senator raised and towed alongside
of the DetOur dock, with only the assist
ance of one of the river tugs. Mr.. Nick
erson reports the Senator very little dam
aged. 1t is nO.mOre than justice to say
| that before Mr.. Nickerson commenced
work that the wind had changed and
was blowing almost a gale from off Lake
Huron. The Senator halls from Cleve.
land, and was commanded by Capt. j.
Ii. Rummage, who is also One-hali
owner Of her. The vessel is an old one
but is said to be in fair condition. 1t
is rumored, and we give it tor what it is
worth, that the schooner cost the present
owners $4,000, and that they had $1,000
to $4,000 insurance upon her, which may
account for some things, if not for
others.
In the opinion of the gentleman who
furnished us with the above facts, and he
was in a condition to know, there was
no time during the time which the Sena-
tor lay on the beach but that she could
have been relieved in less than twenty
four hours with what appliances were at
hand, to say nothing of that which was
offered. 1 would seem to us that an ex-
PLANTATION from Capt. Rummage might
now be in order.