Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-07-22
LOSS OF THE WINNIPEG.

and few children badly hurt.
LOSS OF THE WINNIPEG.
Graphic Description of the Recent Lake
Disaster.
Duluth Tribune 18th.
About 2 o'clock this morning occurred
one of the most painful and distressing
events that the Tribune has ever been
compelled to record. The people of Du-
luth were aroused at that hour by the
loud sounding of whistles in the harbor
and the ringing of the fire department
bells The alarm was SO sudden that be-
fore those who were awakened could col
lect their drowsy senses q bright sheet
OF flame shot heavenward from the
North axn pace hs depot nina the
nipeg was on fire. The boat arrived IN
Duluth an hour or two previous. The
second engineer, Nelson Palmer, who was
on duty, discovered flames and smoke
rising from the fire hold, and promptly
gave the fire alarm and applied the APP
paratus. The officers of the watch and
Others on duty began the battle with the
demon, but it was apparent that the YES
sci was doomed. The fire spread with
remarkable rapidity, and soon the boat
was enveloped in sheet Of fire from
stem to stern. The officers then turned
their attention to the safety of the pas
sengers. Mr.. Crawford, the purser, hur-
ried through the cabin. knocking and
Kicking in the stateroom doors, rousing
the passengers and carefully escorting
the ladies and children to the dock.
Many of the passengers. at the alarm of
fire became frantic, rushing from their
rooms in seml-nude condition. Indeed,
they had little time to dress, and many
OF them barely escaped with their lives,
the smell of fire and smoke and the
singing hair proving, as they
ciamoe[ed e down the side
OF the boat or jumped from
her deck, that they had good cause for
fear. Several passengers jumped over
board, and were taken out of tie water
by friendly hands. The ladies were
placed in the Office of the Northern Pa
citic railway, which afforded temporary
accommodation. Within an hour from
the time of the alarm the entire cabin
was afre, and the flames had penetrated
to every part of the hull Fearing that
the wharf and warehouse would be burn.
ed, men cut loose the hawser, and the
propeller swinging around with the wind
drifted to Stones dock, where it was Sc
cured by couple of tugs and hurried
across the way towards the glass furnace,
where it is burning on the bottom in six
feet of water. The fire still shoulders,
consuming the hull and cargo. The en-
gines, boilers, stock and other machinery
lie piled up in confused mass together.
But however serious the destruction of
the vessel and cargo may be, it is mat
ter of minor interest compared with the
loss of four lives that perished in the
flames. A feeling of horror peryades the
town On account of their tragic fate.
Joseph Smith, fireman, was ordered
to go into the fire hold to assist in SUBJ
DUNG the fire. He obeyed and met his
death. He was resident of Collingwood
and was about 55 years of age. He leaves
a wife and family dependent upon him.
James Branscom, the head waiter, an
unmarried man of 20, resident of Owen
Sound, is missing. In the scramble for
individual safety. no one missed him un-
til after it was supposed all had reached
the shore safely, and then he was missing.
The second porter, VIM. Staney, lad
OF IL, was not seen to escape.
The other victim was a pantrymap,
name unknown, who was working his
way up the lakes.
The origin of the fire is mystery to
the officers of the boat and everyone
else. Various conjectures and theories
have been formed, none of them, howev-
er. based upon sufficient knowledge to
make them reliable. The Winnipeg and
the Manitoba are supposed to have been
running an exciting race, and it is posi-.
I BILE that some Of the working gear, be.
onmtpr ovorhoofoS ;rp:kol C,,l IL AZ
wood work in blaze. There were NO
kerosene lamps in the freehold, il is
claimed, SO the theory of a kerosene ex-
plosion is not correct. In The excite.
ment that prevailed it will be difficult
to account for the cause of the fire. The
, passengers, many of whom lost every.
thing save the scanty clothing hastily
, donned. have been provided for in ho
| tells and private houses about town
Many of them have been supplied with
clothing and other necessaries. The ma
jor part Of the crew have been taker
down the lake on the Manitoba.
f Among the passengers who barely es
j, capped alive was Arthur Taylor, of Moor
. head, who was sleeping in the steeragt
: quarters. He states that he was awak
{ ened by brilliant sheet of flame, anc
then partially stupifed bykmoke. H,
, rushed into the gangway through terri
7 fic fire, and succeeded by climbing dow1
y the hawser in reaching the dock. Hi
: face, neck and arms were severely blis
:. tered. He lost his money, baggage ant
i clothing.
= A woman was seen to Jump into th
q water from the promenade deck. He
cries attracted attention, and a dozel
willing hands assisted her in reachin,
: the dock.
: The cabin boys occupied quarters il
y the starboard bows on the main decl
! ! Their retreat being cut off by smoke an
. ! fire, their only means of escape was b.
jumping through the window. Jac
Harvey, porter, brother of the secon,
!, porter, who persisted, in jumping fror
the window cut his feet severely. I
= company with Ed Alston, waiter an
Others, he was helped out by people VIII
e were standing on the dock.
9 The second engineer, Wilson Palme
e stood at the pony pump until he wa
7. badly burned. His hat was burned fro,
a his head before he left his post, and tn,
ls was not until all possible hope OF savin
"a the boat had been abandoned.