Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-11-13
TERRIBLE MARINE DISASTER.
Loss of Steamer on Lake Superior
Forty-Eight Persons Drowned.


Forty-Eight Persons Drowned.
[By Associated Pres fo The State.
PORT ARTHUR, ONT. November
10.-A terrible marine lia,ier, re-
shifting in the drowning OF forty
eight people and the loss of one Of
the most valuable passenger stca-
mers on the Lakes. was reported
last night when the steamer Ar
thabasca arrived. On beard Of the
Arthabasca were Capt. James Moor
commander OF the Canadian PACT
DC railways steamer Algcma, two
passengers, and eleven Other crew
They were all that were left of
sixty two persons that sailed for
this port from Owen Sound ON the
Algoma last Thursday.
The story OF the disaster a. re-
lated by Capt. Moore is that the
Algona passed through ST. Mary's
canal, bound for this port, last Fri
day at noon Soon after reaching
Lake Superior the wind began to
freSheD up from the northwest, and
a great bank Of lcadcn clouds
along the northern horizon Gcu0t
ed the approach ofhcavy weather.
Realizing, however, that the Al
Coma was one OF the strongest
and most powerful steamers ailoat
and well able 20 cope with even "A
severe gale, Capt. Moore kept her
on her course. Bus Us night ap.
preached the wind continued to
increase in violence, and by dark
had developed into one OF nc fer.
cest and most destructive gales
ever experienced on the upper lakes.
As the gale Increased the sea be-
Gan to make and before midnight
Lake Superior was dashed into a
wilderness Ofsccthing foam. While
the tempest screcchcd and howlcd
the great seas swept completely
over the struggling steamer.
The situation was made all the
more terrible 10y the binding SNOW
storm that set in before morning.
1t was impossible 10 see the length
of the steamer. The passengers
and crew were terrified beyond
measure, and momentarily eXpec-
ted to see the steamer plunge to
the bottom. by the instructions
of Capt. Moore the officers circula-
ted among the passengers, trying
to allay their fears. They were
panic.strckcn, however, aud hud
died together in the cabin, where
the screams and prayers Of the
women and children could be heard
above the laundering Of the gale.
Saturday morning Islc Royal was
sighted and Capt. Moore headed
the steamer for Rock llarbOr,
where he hoped to gain shelter
The island forms q natural harb0r
of refuge, but near the entrance
there is a dangerous reef and just
as the steamer was nearing the en-
trance she struck the reef. There
was a terrific shock and then the
steamer came to "A full stop.
The passengers rushed out Of the
cabin aud beseechcd the officers to
tell them what had happened: We
are on a reef replied the Captain,
but if yOu will only keep as calm
as possible | trust all will be safe
~ landed Just then one Of the
crew reported that the steamers
bottom had been punctulcd, and
that she was filling with water
The boats were at once got IN readi-
ness and all started to leave the
steamer, but just as they were
about to lower them the stcame.
slipped of the reef and disappear
cd with an angry roar. The water
was covered with the struggling
forms of men and women, and then
all was over.
Only fourteen lived to tell the
tale. These got into one Of the
boats, but were pOwcrless to save
themselves, as they were without
oars. Captain Moore, however,
wrenchcd the footbOard from the
bottom OF the boat, and, with that
as a paddle, succeeded IN working
the boat to the island, where the
survivors were picked mp by the
Althabasca. Mr.. Bently, manag-
er of the line, has sent out tugs
from here with instructions to
search the Isle Royal for any sur
vivors that may possibly have got
ashore and to pick up and take
care Of any bodies that may be
found. The tugs are now at the
scene Of the wreck.