Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-11-19
In a Watery Grave.
Terrible Disaster to the Steamer
Algoma.
ONLY FIFTEEN OUT OF ONE HUNDRED
AND TWENTY SURVIVE TO TELL
THE AWFUL sToRY-A THRILL
ING EXPERIENCE.
From the Harrisburg PATRIOT .

From the Harrisburg PATRIOT.
DETROIT, Mich, Nov. ll.-An Ow-
ELI Sound, Ontario, dispatch says AS
far as can be learned the passenger list
and crew of the Algoma comprised o.
yer l20 persons. The Canadian Pacific
officials are very reluctant TO disclose
the facts. It is, however, believed
that large number of passengers were
taken on at Sault Ste. Marie. General
Manager Beatty, of the Canadian Pa
citic will say nothing definite as to the
number lost, while other officials freely
state that fully one hundred have gone
down with the vessel. The latest list
of the saved makes the total Is.
STORY OF THE ACCIDENT.
The following account of the steam
er disaster Is given in special from
Port Arthus to the Winnipeg Free
| Press
The steamer Algoma cleared from
Owen Sound about O'Clock in the af-
ternoon of Thursday, the 9Th inst, with
freight and passengers for PortArthur.
Nothing of any account occurred dur
ing the voyage to Sault Ste. Marie,
which point was made on Friday.
The boat passed White Fish Point
about l O'Clock in the afternoon on
Friday. The wind was at that time
blowing a stiff breeze from east north.
east.
At White Fish Point sail was made
and the boat proceeded on her way un-
der full head of steam, the wind in
creasing in violence, accompanied by
snow and sleet.
At O'Clock Saturday morning the
wind shifted to the northeast and vi
olent storm rag ged. The sea was run
ming mountains high, and the boat was
tossed about like cork. Fifteen.min-
utes later the order was given to take
In allSail and put the wheel hard star
board TO bring the ship about and head
out on the lake again on account of the
snow and darkness While the ship
was coming about she struck the point
known as Point Greensboro, on Isle
Royale, about fifty miles from Port
Arthur and one mile from the passage
Of the Island lighthouse, which has
been abandoned since the first Of the
month. After striking the first time
the boat urged ahead, being driven by
the wind. A second shock occurred
shortly after the first. The vessel
struck the reef violently at the fore
side of the boiler, and she Immediately
commenced to break up.
Most of the passengers aud number
of the crew were IN bed at the time, but
were rudely awakened by the shock,
and the scene that followed beggars de-.
scription. Water poured in through
the broken vessel and over the bull
warks, putting out the fires in the furn-
aces and extinguishing the electric
lights.
The screams of women and children
were heard above the fury of the storm
The crew hurried hither and thither,
doing what they could in the darkness
to render assistance but their efforts
were of little avail, for in less than 90
minutes after the vessel struck, the. en-.
tire forward portion of the boat was
carried away, together with the cargo
and human freight. Several clung to
the rigging and lifeline the Captain
had stretched along the boat, but were
soon swept away by the sea and swal-
lowed up by the angry waves.
The stern of the boat was steadily
! dashed up on the rock, and those who
were not too much exhausted by fatigue
and benumbed by the cold crept to the
after steerage and sought its welcome
shelter. Less than an hour after strik
| ing all was over. The survivors re-
mained from the time Of the disaster
O'Clock Saturday morning-until
Monday morning at 10 O'Clock, exposed
to the inclement weather with but lit
tie food and clothing.
They were at the time sighted by
some fishermen, who came to their
rescue. After taking the shipwrecked
people from their position and placing
them on the Isle Royale, where fire
was kindled for their comfort, the fish
ermen went out and intercepted the
Athabasca, which was coming in a
bout ten miles away. Captain Foote,
of that vessel, Immediately put about
and took the sufferers ON board, and
they We're brought here. The bodies
of Frost and Emerson were also
brought in.