Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-11-27
THE STATE AT LARGE.
The Story Of the Storm.

The story of the terrible disaster which be-
fell the Algoma as related by Captain Moore
Is that the Algoma passed through the ~.
Marys canal bound for Port Arthur Friday.
Soon after reaching Lake Superior great
bank of leaden clouds along the northern
horizon denoted the approach of heavy wealth
cr. Realizing that the Algoma was one OF the
strongest and most powerful steamers afloat
Capt. Moore kept her on her course. As night
approached the wind had developed into one
OF the 1erccst aud most destructive gales ever
experienced on the upper lakes Before mid
night Lake sup 'rior was dashed into wilder
ness OF scethng foam. The situation was
made all the more terrible by the binding
snow storm that set in before morning. BY
instructions OF Capt. Moore the officers cir
oulated among the passengers, trying 10 allay
their fears. They were p.nle stricken.
however, and huddled together in
the cabin, where the screams and
prayers of the women and children could be
heard above the laundering of the gale, Sat
urday morning Isle Royal was sighted, and
Capt. Moore headed the steamer for Rock lIar-
tor. Near the entrance is dangerous reef,
trance she struck the reef. The passengers
rushed out OF the cabin and beseeched the Of
Gcers to tell them what had happened I'VE
are on reef" replied Capt. Moore, but if
YOU viii only keep rs calm as possible | trust
ali will bee safely landed" The steamers bot
tom had been puncturcd aud she was filling
with water The boats were got IN readiness
aud all started 10 leave the steamer, but the
steamer slipped of the reef an disappeared.
The water was covered with the struggling
forms of men and women aud then all was
over. Fourteen got into one of the boats, but
were powerlcss TO save themselves, as they
were without oar-. Capt. Moore succeeded In
getting the boa to The island where the sur
yiyors were picked up hy the Athabasca
One OF the rescued passengers gives a graph
ic account OF the terrible seen before and
after the wreck Its n nc to describe the
scenes" said he Nothing worse ever oc.
CURED on earth. I'm their madness when the
waves were washing the deck number threw
tnem, elves into the water. Others when
great wave would pass oil the deck were swept
into the sea. 4 few hung on TO ropes or to
the mlst,, bat the majority seemed TO abandon
'htiuHtlfhN an tA' VIM "i"i'N "A'A "AHl1'''
Even the crew seemed poverless. The boat
rapidly went to pieces and dashed against the
rocks. The crew. all of whom except the
mattresses had clung 10 the rigging, managed.
during a slight lull in the storm. to place
themselves in lilebol', cut the fastenings
ana in An instant wave swept them from the
wreck Two OF the passengers had managed
To place themselves in the boat before 1t was
cut away from the wreck ANY efforts that
had been made 10 launch boats dur
ing the early confusion and horror
had failed The lifc-boat aud It's occupants
had a terrible experience. All who could
bound themselves 10 the boat while the re-
mainder held onto the sides, expecting every
moment 10 meet their death either by drown
ing or from exposure and cold. After half Al
hour the boat suddenly struck some rocks
The inmates feared all was over with them as
the craft capsized, but discovered that they
were on lond, After remaining there an hour
or more the storm abatcd and the sky cleared.
II was then discovered thai they were on Isle
Ro,alc and that the vessel had been wrecked
about a mile from shore on the great boulders
that exist near the channel Ii was about 10
O'Clock in the morning, and the half dead
crew remained there until late in the after
noon. when the Athabaska came along and
picked them up They were taken 10 Port
Arthur