Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-09-10
RACING FOR TOWS.
EXPERIENCE ON BOARD
AlAkE MICHIGAN TUG.
An Exciting Race for Tow In "h'e"
Five Tugboats Engaged-Gettng
Up Steam Regardless Of
the Safety valvc.


Past the rows OF hign Dutidlngs anu unoea
the bridges the little craft glided Ike
specter, until she finally reached the woe
expanss of waters Of Lake Michigan Oniy
the mufdied puffings OF the exhaust am tne
monotonous vibrations of the hull disturbed
the silence. The gloomy stone walls OF the
waterworks crib, which in the night resen-
ble, an isolated sea prison, were directly
ahead. but by a turn Of the tiller-wheel they
were left to enc side, and soon only the
solitary beacon, which surmounts them, was
all that could b. seen by . glance over tne
stern. Swiftly the little tug few past the
lights Of Lincoln park, and then almost
directly ahead could be seen the remarkabie
dash-light of Crosse Point, twelve miles
distant
4Watch it." the captain said, and be
handed q pair OF powerful marine glasses 10
his solitary passenger. The glasses were
leyeled upon the point where the light had
so suddenly disappeared, and after an inter-
val of a few seconds the watchers patience
was rewarded by seeing Q minute speck OF
red light, which gradually grew in size until
IL elared down ON the silent waters below 1t
like the eve Of q huge monster which was
waiting for its victims approach 1t also
| disappeared, and there was another interval
| Of darkness, which was followed by the
bright flash. So this light alternares, SHOW
ing first bright then . deep red, and then
disappearing altogether for brief space OF
| time, every night in the year
| After a run Of one hour and half 1t was
directly abreast Of the tug, and the captain
pulled his watch mechanically "Just l 80.
he said. II always like to take my bearings
when pass that light he continued, "be-
cause it might set in thick ami stormy. and
while we keep a course we know how to find
our way back"
The captain sat at his post grimly divid.
ing his time between the compass in front oil
him and tie inky darkness around. At last
the first streak of gray dawn appeared IN
the east, and the captain became quite
lively. 1T is coming daylight. sure" he
cried out, and he released his whee
moment and stepped out upon The
boats deck and made a searching examina
ton of tho horizon in every direction
there's a bunch Of vessels over there. ht
exclaimed, pointing over the starboard DO"
gleefully, aud he gave the jingler a quick
jerk The putting Increased to frighttu
extent, and the vibrations Of the hull did
likewise The vessels were soon overtaken.
but were found to be going down the lake.
Then another vessel was sighted, and al
most at the same time two tugs were seei
emerging from the haze, which hid the Ian
from view. They. too, had seen the vessel
and from the quantities OF black smok'
which was vomited from their stacks 1t wa
evident that the masters OF both were deter
minei to tow her to Chicago Then tw'
more tugs wers seen north OF the ves'e
, steaming in her direction, but they wer
specks on the horizon. The experienced ey
f Of the captain however toll him ut frs
= | for ba
f tary tow also, and turning to his passen
ger he said, Steer her straight for that sal
, while talk to the engineer
/. He had not been gone a minute when tn
!. object OF his conference with the enginee
became apparent. The Changing OF th'
doors OF the furnace rang out above the d!l
} and clatter of the machinery, and then tn
} shoyeliny Of col was heard. Instead @
5 black smoke, the stack vonited forth 81 wv
, ing cinders of great size, the pufiipg AMI tn
: vibration increased until it became furiou
a::She's going wide OPEN" was the only e,
PLANTATION the captain vouch Safei wasl h
g returned AMI took the wheel again Ia
r boat was plowins through the water at
!, tremendous speei, and she forced it al,no
, as high a. her rail
Il think that fellow is gainin: Oh u.
, exclaimed the captain after brief int,
val of silence ~Hold her again until l sc
!, the engineer
! Whom he returned the din of the machir
c cry was perfectly appalling. The boa
fairly shook from stem to stern a. 81
C plunged forward, and q deep roar ng moi
{ succeeded the putting. When he was
C. leved of the wheel the reporter timill
e walked toward the engine-room. whe-s !
: | was greeted by the soOt-covered engine,
| u ~ I.-i /,
: side, glanced carefully ut the steam guag
aud remarked indifferently that the bot
was making fast time. The guage regi
: tered 100 pounds Goa, its all right, II
> bow" said the engineer, as he gave q
steam-valve another jerk to satisfy himse
that he had not curtaled the power Of I'll
boat. 1t was evident from the appearan'
of the other four boats that their enginee
had not made that mistake, but the cap.a
for a third time became anxious about Il
result of the race and he paid tnirl Wis
to the engineer.
While the result Of the second visit W;
appalling, what followed the third visit WI
simply awful to the inexperienced passe
ger Visions Of boiler explosions and Ion
and friends fitted before his mind in rap
succession, and then he made a solemn VIC
that he never would be caught in a simii:
q scrare il ever he reached land. The DO
seemed to fairly leap out OF the water, al
the roaring noise increased until 1t cou
have been heard mills away. Everythin
even the atmosphere, grew intensely Eo
and the decks were soon covered with
mass OF burning cinders or rather chunk,
coal, which were flying from the stack.
seemed TO the novice as if the tug was tea
ing herself TO pieces, 50 violently did S
shake under the ordeal, and the steam & au
Nd again leaped into the reporters mind.
this was comfort or despair, and he refrac
his steps toward the engine-room. But Z
figures on the face could not be seen
lie The prizs which was at first mere spe
ST was fast becoming palmer at every jump
- the tug until her hull and sails assum
definite shape. Nearer and nearer she q
proached the vessA until the members
her crew could be seen. but just certa
WAS the other tugs bearing down upon h
The door Of the furnace banged coistent
and shovel after shovel full of coal W
heaped into the furnace. 1t was try.
moment, and tie crew strained every nsr
and muscle to win, and suddenly the capita
exclaimed in great glee, @We've got en-
10 and his joy was heightened when the t
n rounded the quarter OF the vessel fully
feet in advance Of the nearest of the 9th
tugs
lit was a good race the captain