The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-11-18
LOST on ISLE ROYAL.
Th;r.y-seven People Drowned By a
Wreck On Lake Superior.

WINNIPEG. Man, Nov. 9.-The
steamship Algoma, belonging to the
Canadian Pacific Railroad Company,
was wrecked in terrific gale on
Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, on
Saturday night, and thirty-seven
lives were LOST. She had left Owen
Sound on Thursday, and was bound
70 Point Arthur when the disaster
occurred. The first knowledge OF
the calamity was received when the
steamer Athabasca, of the same line.
reached Port Arthur late this even
ING with the crew of the Algoma,
numbering thirteen, and two pas
sengers, who were the only ones saw
ed.
The Athabasca, which left Owen
Sound two DAYS after the Algoma,
came upon the wreck at Isle Royal,
Thunder Bay, and found the crew
and two passengers in perishing
condition on the island. The wreck
had been dashed by the furious
waves against the rocks and finally
beaten against the shore of the is
land. The crew and two passen-
gers saved themselves by taking to
a life boat and battling with the
waves until the shore was reached.
The boat was capsized several times
by waves but righted again, while
the men clung desperately to Its
sides. When they reached land
they were almost dead from expos
ure and exhaustion. The storm con-
tinued to rage furiously all night
long, and the rescued people re-
manned on the beech watching the
wreck beat against the rockbound
island, and seeing the dead bodies
dashed by the surf against the
shore.
DISCOVERING THE WRECK.
The Athabasca came along at
noon to-day, and, as the channel is
narrow. could not avoid seeing the
wreck and distress signal of those on
the island. A boat was sent ashore
and brought the rescued to the Ath-
abasca, which set sail for Port Ar
thur. where she arrived at Z O'Clock
this evening. There is intense ex-
citement in this city tonight as
many had friends on board the
wrecked boat. A list of the cabin
passengers can be had only at To-
ronto or Sault Ste. Marie, where the
manifest of passengers is given to the
custom there.
Only meagre particulars have
been received and consist mainly of
kilograms announcing loss Of friends
Mr.. L. Dudgean, dry goods mer-
chant of this city received atelegram
announcing that his wife and two
children are among the lost They
were on their way to Ontario. The
Algoma was splendidly equipped
Clyde steel steamer Of 1850 tons.
The vessle cost $4,000 and is un-
derstood 10 have been insured for
100000. She was one of the three
steamers, the Alberta, Athabasca and
Algoma, purchased two years ago
By the railroad company for the
lake traffic, since which time she
has been plying steadily between
Owen Sound and Port Arthur. Cap
tain Moore was master of the vessel
and nephew of Hon. Alexander
Mackenzie was purser.
STORIES OF SURVIVORS.
One of the survivors tells the fol-
lowing story;
The steamer left Owen Sound
Thursday afternoon with thirty
eight passengers, principally Can
adams but there were some few
Americans. All went well during
the early part Of the voyage, and
the vessel passed up ST. Mary's
River to Sault Ste. Marie, where
she coaled. 1t was Friday about
noon when she passed the latter
place and soon after steamed out
into Lake Superior. The wealth
er was calm, but as the evening ad-
vanced signs of storm were brewing.
When spoken to by passengers Cap
tain Moore shook his head omiDous-
ly and all realized that storm of
unusual severity was brewing, but
the Algoma held her course toward
Port Arthur, while the storm in
creased in fury and caused the great
waves to pound the vessel, which
was tossed about like a feather. As
the night wore on the storm seemed,
If possible TO lncreas in violence.
SNOW and sleet descended and the
elements appeared in their angriest
mood. Some passengers retired to
their berths, but the majority, who
were suffering from nausea, kept
watch.
At the time when day should un-
der ordinary circumstances break,
darkness continued, for the snow
storm had not ahated and the atmos-
phere was terribly thick. The steam
er still Eeid ON her way, and, as fair
progress had been made, notwith-
standing the severity of the storm, it
was thought that the Isle Royal,
which is short distance outside of
Thunder Bay, and about forty-iiye
miles from Port Arthur, must be
near at hand. The island is long,
but comparatively narrow and rocky,
and its vicinity is treacherous.
owing TO the large number of reefs
about it. The channel by which
the bay is entered runs close to the
island, and Captain Moore realized
the necessity OF progressing with the
utmost care. Fog horns were blown
and signals of distress sounded, and
the speed of the boat was reduced,
but as the storm continued to rage
it was impossible TO determine ab-
solutelv what course the boat was
pursuing.
Suddenly a great crash was heard,
and the vessel rebounded and quiv-
cred like an aspen leaf. Good
Godp said the Captain, "she's
struck; our doom has come" Ten
seconds later all was the widest
confusion and alarm. Those who
were on deck screamed with fear,
while the shrieks OF the women
were terrible to listen to. Crash,
crash, and the stout vessel pounded
the rocks. The cracking OF the tim