The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-25
LAsHED TO THE BULWARKS.
The Experience Of n Young Woman
who was Wrecked on Lake Huron.
detroit Evening NeWs.1

I1Saoe GFOh'Ab NS"@I
Among the passengers who arrived on
Saturday right from Lake Huron was
Miss Belle johnson, principal saleswoman
in the confectionery establishment OF
Thrope, Hawley & Co. of this city. She
gave the following description of her ex-
perience on the i'll fated Bertschy:
After leaving Bay City we had much
heavy weather and had become rather
accustomed to the tossing of the boat.
On Thursday night no change was OBJ
served, and the lady passengers, myself
among the number, collected in the after
cabin to listen to the stories of several
Southern ladies-refugees from the fever
epidemic, who had chosen the lakes as a
safe resort. was standing within three
three feet of my stateroom, when the
conversation was ended by terrible
crash which threw me head]0ng across
the cabin. The other ladies were crowded
in corner, not one being able to speak.
For some minutes no one moved, and L
only heard an occasional prayer above
the hoarse roar. One lady like myself,
had had experience in similar emergen-
cies, and we with difficulty gained the
deck. The night was very dark, and
nothing coul be seen but the lighthouse
beacon. several miles away. Our steam
whistle had been sounding signals of dis
tress, but, as the water dashed over the
engine fires, they were put out and the
only signal on board gradually died to a
moan, and then failed. We looked for
torches, but they we're none on board.
Our lamps had been dashed out, and we
were left grouping about in the darkness
Capt. McGregor had been sick in bed
but | could distinguish him on deck,
giving directions for the launching of a
boat which was to make an attempt al
landing in order to secure assist
ance. The boat was in the water but
minute, and then l knew by the
screams heard that it had gone over.
We passed the night in this way com
forting each other and assisting the crew
as we could. The male passengers on
board had secured their life preserves
and sat with them on all night, but the
women had given everything up, and
l refused to put one on, thinking it would
only prolong my suffering. Early on
Friday morning the steward came below
and insisted upon buckling on the pre-
server. 1t seemed like getting into my
coffin, for | had said my last prayer, anc
was ready. After securing the belts VIZ
were led to the upper deck, and as the
boat threatened to part every minute, We
were lashed, one by one, to the outer
bulwarks. Whenever the sea poured ovel
me the ropes held me fast, and sat tiec
there three hours looking into the watel
and wishing l could go down and have it
ended.
The Captain passed by, and with hi
glass | could see some of our men cling
ing to the foot of a perpendicular clit
about forty feet in height. They haC
drifted ashore the night before when th'
small boat was swamped. | also saw th'
life-boat launched, and crowd of mel
hurrying up and down the shore a
though bewildered. The life-savin
boat could be seen an instant; then i
would sink in the trough of the sea, anc
we thought it was lost. 1t gradual.
neared us, and line was thrown out ant
secured by Capt Kiah. Then two mel
were seen climbing out on the ropes ant
through the water towards our boat. l
took them long time, but they were a
last on board and knew how to direc
our efforts for safety. Through thei
management the boats came near by, AM
we were hauled on board and then take
to land. Not until | stood on solid groun
could think that it was possible for m
to escape death.
The greatest praise is due men in tn
) life-boat. | visited their Station .Satul
day, and found the road over which the
carried their beat rough and sandy. A
it was about five miles from the pre-
peller's wreck, it seemed marvellous tina
they could reach her at all.