American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-06-08
A Woman Passes Five Days in
a CapsiZed Vessel.


a CapsiZed Vessel.
Ever since Lake Erie has been navi-
gated by civilized people, especially for
the last century, says the Erie penn
Dispatch, has she swallowed up large
numbers of human beings by shipwreck,
by fire, and by other casualties, and
while many bodies are recovered there
are hundreds that are never found and
many that float ashore that are never
identified
propose now to give an instance in
which human being was shipwrecked
on Lake Erie, remained in the water
five days, and was finally rescued alive.
In the autumn of 1888 Capt. Gilman
Appleby, of Conneaut, o., was Captain
and part owner of the schooner New
Connecticut. A steamboat was then
being built at Conneauta (the North
America), of which Capt. Appleby had
Charge, and was for many years her
master. An aunt of his, then residing
at Black Rock, below Buffalo, was at
Erie on a visit, staying with a brother
who was then a resident of the town.
The lady went to Conneaut in company
with nephew, to visit brother there
After remaining for some time she be-
came exceedingly anxious to get home.
Capt. Appleby, who was busy with the
steamboat, endeavored to dissuade his
aunt from taking the home-jourrey nm
til he should be going out with his ves-
sci, when he would take her home. His
efforts in that direction, however, were
and he had her taken on
board the schooner to go to
Buffalo in charge of the crew. The
vessel being light, and i'the time
of the year August, the Captaiuihad en-
tire confidence in the ability of the crew
to manage the craft and land his rela-
tive safe at her destination. Every
thing passed off quietly until after the
vessel had passed Erie, when a sudden
squall struck and rolled her over upon
her side, when she nearly filed with
water, but continued to float. The crew.,
loosening the vessels yawl, jumped in
and pulled for the shore, leaving the
woman in the cabin, as they supposed,
drowned. The party landed at or near
Portland, Chautauqua County, N. Y,
and made their way as best they could
back to Conneaut Three days after
Capt. Wilkins, Of ths, steam
boat William Peacock, in coming dowp,
from Detroit, was besought by Captain
Appleby to board the wreck if he. saw
It, and if possible get the body Of MS
aunt out Of the cabin, and convey It TO
Buffalo. Capt. Wilkins discovered the
disabled vessel drifting down the lake,
and, after coming alongside, Captain
VIM. Henton, then first mate of the
Peacock, boarded the wreck and made
search. The schooner lay upon her
tide, and, to all appearances, was full
If water. A pole was employed and it
was supposed every part of the cabinwas
and as no object in the shape
Of a human body was felt, the conclu-
sion was reached that the remains had
located out of the cabin into the lake,
hence further search was given up.
Two days afterward Captain Appleby
came down with vessel with facilities
TO right the schooner and tow her into
The nearest port, the drowned
son being along to assist in
,he recovery of the body. The vessel
was finally righted, and when the cabin
ioor had nearly reached level posi-
ion, the woman walked through the
water and came up the stairs upon deck.
She was caught by Capt. Appleby and
while her son wept and sail
,rs screamed. Five days and nights
lad she been in the water, while por-
ion of her time she was up to her arm
pits She could not lie down, and what
'leep she got was in that position, and
Ill the food she had was solitary
cracker and a raw onion, which floated
IN the water. She stated that after the
7essel capsized and was abandoned by
he crew, she found herself alone in
water waist-deep. The cabin door was
open but the water was two feet above
t, and the, sea made constant changes
n her position. When Capt. Wilkins
stopped she could hear the boarding
party talk and walk on the vessel, and
she used her voice to the ut
most to attract attention, she could not
make them hear. She saw the pole
hrust into the cabin door by Capt. Hen
on, and asked if she should hold on to
t and be pulled out, but no answer
,ame, the Captain hearing no noise
,ther than the FLASHING of the water,
md not having the remotest idea that
he woman was there, alive or dead. This
vent occurred 45 years ago, and | have
lever heard of parallel case either on
he lake or other waters, and her saliva
ion from drowning may be regarded as
title less than miracle. ..s- !
a Photograph Of d Tribe.
Mr.. Conway mentions in the CONNER
soI of Cincinnati ssa very remark able |