Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-12

Terrible Experience Of the Crew an
Passengers OF the Steamer OcOntO.

Terrible Experience OF the Crew and
Passengers OF the steamer OcOntO.
DETROIT, MICH, Dec. 1.-THE steamer
Oconto left Oscada on Friday, December 4, and
soon encountered terrible gale. 1t became
impossible to see and the lights went out.
There we're twenty-five passengers and twenty
five members OF the crew on board. At twelve
o'clock Friday night Charity Island light was
sighted. Within fifteen minutes the Oconto
struck bottom at the southeast point Of the
island. Frank Teiper. first assistant engineer,
wreck as follows: Our starboard buIwarks were
stove in and all the upper ratings: two of the
lifeboats and all the light freight on the hurri-
cane deck were washed away. We were i'm a
gale and binding snow storm. The was
SO heavy that we could not keep the boat going.
Finally light was sighted. Everybody took it
for Tawas light: in fact, IL was the Charity Is
land light. The captain set the boat around to
feel for the entrance, and the next thing We
knew there was a terrific shock. We had
grounded in about six feet of water, but
whether on rocks or sand, We could not tell.
We could see that we were about n mile from
land. As soon as the boat struck the crew be-
gan dealing out life preservers Alter We got
ready for the ice bath, ia which none of us
could have LIVED we'd fifteen Lap minItes we
broke We set our coiors at haff-mast and began
blowing the whistles. At about ten O'Clock we
on the shore. We got our small metallic life
boat over the side, and In IL five OF us went
ashore. There We found two fish-huts. Then
Two ladies and child were taken direct TO the
light-keeper's house, and the men began keep
ing house in the fish-huts. They have food
enough to last them two or three weeks
and plenty of blankets. On Monday morn
ing our party came away in a large yawl
We took aboard a compass, two bushels OF salt
and some provisions. We started in the midst
of cake ice. Every minute or two the spray
would dash over US and freeze as it struck.
When we got within four miles OF Casevifle we
found that the ice was frozen solidly, yet was
strong enough TO walk upon. We hoisted our
storm signal and began cutting our way with
axes. Two boats started out to help us, but
found that the solid ice, detached from the
main shore, WAS increasing I'm thickness every
minute, and that 1t was drifting down the bay
taking US with it, We cut, pushed, rowed and
struggled like mad, reaching shore at last at d
o'clock Monday avening, eight miles below
Casevilie having drifted that lar In the ice.
EAST TAwES, MICH, Dec. l2.-Charles Rear
don, nrst mate OF the wrecked steamer Oconto
arrived here yesterday with the steward and
six passengers. Reardon reports that the crew
The deck hands were all coIored from Detroit
The captain, first engineer and Passengers are
In shanties on the island. There are provisions
for a few days. All are very downhearted.
They have one deck hand and one passenger
very sick, but no medicines. The mate and
steward left Charity island in a yawl boat yes
terday morning and walked from Point Look
out here. There were two lady Passengers and
one child. Captain Plough and the life
saving crew have started for the islands.
the storm was frghtful, and that the danger
was greatly augmented by number of horses
and some cattle which Were on board breaking
from their stalls and stampeding. Several OF
the animals were SO severely injured that they
had to be killed. There Is a report that seven
Of the crew lett the islands in q boat ON Tues
confirmation.