The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-27
Shipwrecked on Lake Erie "A Thrill.
ing Experience.
BUFFALO, N. Y, Novembe

Inc schooner Meme Gardner, Cap
tain Edward Lusk, Master, arrived here
this morning, and brought to this port
another of the crew of the Inflated
schooner G. G. Breed, which went to
the bottom on Friday. His name was
David McAllister, and he halls from
Port Colborne, where he has a young
wife, but no children. His account Of
the disaster, and his personal expert
ences after the vessel went down, are as
follows:
L shipped on board the Breed at Detroit.
Those on board beside Captain Rose and N.Y.
self were Frank Davis; a man called Scotty,
who. believe, belonged in Detroit; the first
mate-dont know his name, he belonged in
Clevcland; James Il. Green, of Buffalo, the
second mate, and two others whose names did
not know. We were about twenty-five miles
below the Point when the squall struck us: 1t
came from the southwark. We saw it coming
over the water at a very lively rate and
supposed it was rain; it looked like it. Four
liar weather signs, and, supposing them
to be produced b; blow, made prep
arations accordingly, but in each instance
it proved to be rain, and not wind AS a
consequence, in this last instance, we were de-
ceived as to its true character. 1t struck US
between twelve and one o'clock, and it seemed
approach that we got the entire strength full
on the starboard, the schooner careening to the
left so that her spars stood at an acute angle.
At this time Davis was at the wheel, Scotty was
just coming out of the forecastle, and had
my foot on the upper one of the fOrecastle steps
preparatory to going down to turn in. l did
not see the Captain, but think he was aft. The
other men were all on deck. Immediately
ran aft, let go the foresheet, and then went
for the port side, as the vessel had canted
over, and was lying on her beam ends. Igrasp-
weather rail, and got out on the weather side.
pulled Davis and Smith up to where was,
but with great difficulty. The boat was now
and clambered up through the main rigging,
reaching the cross-trees. and, looking back, 1
saw that she had settled to the main rigging.
eyes of the topmast rigging, when she righted
up, but don't know how far, for just then the
topmast broke below me, at the cap, and went
the twisted snS
gtng. hung on, and was swept into the lake
with the whole mass. When came to the sur
face the vessel ys had disappeared, and nothing
bed piece of board. and kept myself up. After
drifting along for five or ten minutes, came
siohgsde of ssotsy He had board under
thought you were all mangled by the mast"
He said had poor float, and suggested that
try and get piece of some lumber that was
ahead of us. soon left him behind me, and
don't know why it was, but seemed to drift
down the lake faster than everything around.
After going q little further saw several long
i
one, and now had plank under each arm. I
passed the mate. He seemed to be hanging to
the hawser box. He looked at me but did not
turned me over, boards and ali, and, when I
was able to look around me again, he had dis
appeared.
clinging to what looked like the cabin, upside
down. He had some dark ob1ecf nike, scarf
tied to stick, and appeared to DO waving It.
It must have been about four O'Clock in the
ole <hn
water, and no signs of any of the rest of the
crew. saw vessels, propellcrs and tows, Ave
miles away, both to the northward and south.
ward of me. During the night saw bright
light that was apparently just behind me, and
heard q steamers whistle blown several
times. shouted myself hoarse, but could
light seemed to stay in one. place for about
three-quart<rs of an fnAr.s "a soa broke over
me, and when again looked for the light it
Ali night: long drifted on those two planks
When daylight finally came-and tell you it
was long time cOming-I saw the Gardner
was perfectly numb, from my waist to the
ends of my toes. How anxiously l watched
that vessel and the maneuvers of her men in a
%n be1
did not lose heart, though, and determined to
make an effort to attract the attention Of
those on board rs the vessel moved along. l
crossed my planks, got astraddle of them In
the center, and then, with the aid of piece of
wood, | commenced padding. l saw them
lower the yawl, pull around for awhile, and go
back. shouted, but they did not hear. ]
saw them go on board. They made a second
trip. and again Aeturned. The schoonGr sailed
down toward me-. waived my paddle. and
saw that they had observed my signal. The
boat was lowered, and they pulled to where !!
was grabbed the glnwale Of the yawl, and
they hauled me into the boat. Then oil bccamc
blank. knew nothing more until ! found
myself on board the Gardner. and here am.
Frank Davis, the other survivor of the
crew of the shipwrecked schooner, saved
his life by clinging to the rigging, and
was picked up by the propeller Mil
waukcc.