The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-01
Ths RrazIl's Peril.

| In November. 1912. the steamer Brazil /
was caught in the ice on the rapids above
this city and nearly torn to pieces. The
Commander was Captain Grin Smith, of
Galena, we'll known on this river mp TO
| lS60-and he now tells the story Of that
venture him sslf to the Dubuque Herald
aud it is very interesting reading for
| people who can appreciate the situation, as
we can who live near the scene of frightful
danger:
Captain Smiths home was then in Ga
| lena There had been cold snap, and
laid up tbs magnificent steamer Brazil,
which was one OF the best boats then on
| the river, or ever seen on the Mississippi
tucked her in for good winter nap
when general warmth came. Then the
weather became SO foe that parties who
had business southwark. and who then
never dreamed of railroads running along
the bank of the great Father of Waters,
were anxious to see boats started out
again. The river was perfectly clear of
ice and there seemed to be nothing in the
way to interfere with navigation. Appli
cation was made to Capt. Smith to trot the
New Brazil out again for another trip to
St. Louis, which he consented to do if
sufi cient freight and passengers could be
guaranteed to make it an object. In a
little while two barges were loaded with
freight. among which was five thousand
pigs of lead. His passenger list footed up
about forty gentlemen and an equal nun
Der Of ladieS-a party made up expressly
for au excursion to st.. Louis. They
lstarted November 18th with charming
weather in time to make and cross the
rapids at Davenport by daylight the next
morning, as was the custom OF river men
in those days. Descending the rapids one
of the barges struck and hung or the
rocks of Duck Greek chain, eigh! or ten
miles above here 1t was left, and
the captain steamed down to Davenport
with the other, His supply of wood was
nearly exhausted. but the day was delight
; full aud he concluded that before he would
tie up for anything lie would run back to
the rapids aud get the other barge off He
made fast to it and tuggea away for
while, and suddenly the sky was hung
with mulky, odi looking, omiuous clouds,
= which tGrboded storm. The thormome-
ter began ID fall the icy breath OF winter
J asserted its supremacy over the genial
warmth that had prevailed beforehand
: presently the wind, almost like a delUge,
seemed to break from the oVerhanging
!; clouds and swept down the river with
hurricane force. 1t appeared to lift the
= power!es5 boat UP out OF the current, and
fasten her on the rocks that lay hid
beneath the waters that were now dashed
, into fury. Ever and anon the cabin would
= lift some inches as il it was about to part
! from its deck and drive away with the
: wild winds, which it would probably have
= DOM had strong chains not been passed
: over it and made secure below. With the
= :. rash of wind the mercury fell go rapidly
= that within few hours it dropped to S.
Il l0, Is. and befors it rested. to Is degrees
below sero. Such change the old captain
10 all his experience had never seen
= before nor has seen since. To make the
{ situation more eplorabIe, every stick. of the
y scanty supply of wood had been consumed
! the ice began to run and crash With blood
= curdling force against the helpless boa,
and the winds continued itg dreadful carni-
val 1t seemed as If there was no escape
: from that fearful situation. The wood
. was all gone, there was no means by
. | which to raise steam to try to maks what
seemed even like a hopeless fort to get
the boat eff the rock to prevent tho ladies
| from suffering from the intense cold. In
t. this cherries, soul narrowing manner they
!, spent one night 10 the darkness, while the
T. wind howed, the ice crashed against the
0 keel of tho apparently bent on ripping it
e open. La his apprehension that the cabin
4 might be carried away he had the ladies
e put into the hold, where, dispiriting as ii
e was, with floating ice grinding its harsh
g notes against the sides of the boat, It
e seemed preferable to the cabin with which
r. tbs W!nd shFestsasa to make sad havoc at
/, any moment. The captain saw next
morning that some decisive action mus;
be taken. He went among the passengers
:, told the ladies that il was necessary to get
y up steam to try to get out ofitheir trouble
" and that if they would not object he would
ID cut up whatever portions of the boat
hat he could and they would try to
u get up FIRE enough to make steam enough to
- help them to save themselves. The ladies,
he..says,were as brave as heroines, and quite
.. cool under the circumstances, and told
y hia. to do what in his Judgment seemed
- best He put bis men to work and With the
% aid OF the passengers soon made trewood
of the cabin and other parts of the boat
and with quantity of butter on board
soon had fire going and steam up. Eor-
le tune fayors the brave. and after a few
" efforts the dismantied craft swung clear oil
the rocks and started down the river.
When within one hundred feet or SO OF the
!shore on the Rock Island side the steam
died OFT ard trouble was brewing again.
The wind blew as hard IS ever, and if the
boat was ct its ueTGy they might al! be
e. lost. The captain called to dare devil
hand on board and told hlm that on him
depended the safety of all on the boat.
That he had te take small line attached
to a large line Sin mas toath jump into
the river and swir ashore. He stimulated
him with promise Of three months wages
The man obayed. sprang into the river.
u ade the shore near tres about the sizs
of stove pipe. pulled the thick line
ashore, and had just slack enough 20 make
one or two turns On the tree. Then he
stood holding the rope by aid OF the little
one until the shout. ANXIOUS hands, Cd the
boat pulled her ashore and made her fast.
The ladies wers perfectly willing to go
ashore. too.