The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-06-06
1 WONDERFUL ESCAPE.
A Woman Passes Five Days in the Hold
of a Capsized Vessel in Lake Erie
Her Final Rescue Alive.

Ever since Lake Erie has been nayi-
gated by civilized people, especially for
the last century, has she swallowed up
large numbers OF human beings by ship
wreck, 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 1898 Capt. Gilman Apple
by, of Conneaut, Ohio, was captain and
part owner OF the schooner New Connec-
ticut. A steamer was then being built
at Conneaut, tthe North America,) of
which Capt. Appleby had charge, and
was for many years her master. An aunt
of his, then residing at Black Rock, be-
low Buffalo, was at Erie on visit, stay
ing with n brother who was then q
resident Ct the town. The lady went to
Conneaut 10 company with a nephew to
visit her brother there. After remain
ing for some time she became ex-
ceedingly anxious to get home. Capt.
Appleby, who was busy with the steam
boat, endeavored to dissuade his aunt
from taking the home journey until he
should be going out with his vessel, when
he would take her home. His efforts in
that direction, however, were unavailing,
and he had her taken on board the
schooner to 60 to Buffalo in charge OF
the crew. The vessel being light, and
the time of the year August, the captain
had entire confidence in the ability of
the crew to manage the craft and land
his relative safe at her destination.
Everything passed off quietly until after
the vessel had pas sed Erie, when sud
den squall struck and rolled her upon
her side, when she nearly filed with
water, but continued to float. The crew,
ioosening 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 the best they could
back to Conneaut. Three days after the
accident Capt. Wilkins, of the steam
boat William Peacock, in coming down
from Detroit was besought by Capt.
Appleby to board the wreck if lie saw it,
and if possible get the body of his aunt
out of the cabin and convey it to Buffalo.
Capt. Wilkins discovered the disabled
vessel drifting down the lake, and, after
coming along side, Captain William Hen
ton, then first mate of the Peacock,
boarded the vessel and made search. The
schooner lay upon her side, and, to all
appearances, was full of water. A pole
was employed, and as was supposed every
part of the cabin was touched, and as no
object in the shape of human body was
found, the conclusion was reached that
the remains had foated 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
woman's son being along to assist IN the
recovery OF the body. The vessel was
finally righted, and when the cabin door
had nearly reached level position, the
woman walked through the water and
came up the stairs upon deck. She was
caught by Captain Appleby and support
ed, while her son wept and the sailors
screamed. Five days and nights had
she been IL the water, while portion oi
the time she was up TO her arm pits.
She could not lie down, and what sleep
she got was in that position, and all the
food she had was Ii solitary cracker and 6
raw onion, which foated on the water.
She stated that after the vessel was cap
sized aud was abandoned by the crew, she
found herself alone in the water waist
deep The cabin door was open but the
flood was two feet above il, and the sci
made constant changes in her position
When Capt. Wilkins stopped she coult
hear tLe boarding party talk and walk OF
the vessel, and although she used he,
voice TO its utmost to attract attention sh,
coald net make them hear. She saw tn,
pole thrust into the cabin door by Cap,