Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-11-10
@S(9g: 81 *
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES.
The Disaster on Lake Superior.

The Disaster on Lake Superior.
PORT ARTHUR, Ont, Nov. 10.-A terrible
marine disaster, resulting in the drowning
of is persons and the loss of one Of the most
valuable passenger steamers on the Lakes
was reported last night when the steamer
Arthabasca arrived. On board of the Ar
thabasca were Capt. James Moore, COM
mander of the Canadian Pacific railway
steamer Algoma, two passengers and eleven
Of her crew. They were all that were left
Of tho G2 persons that sailed for this port
from Owen Sound on tho Algoma last
Thursday. The Captain was badly in
jured. The ships papers were lost, and
the passenger list could not be obtained.
The story Of the disaster, as related by Capt.
Moore, is that the Algoma passed through
the st. Mary's Canal, bound for this port.
last Friday noon. Soon after reaching Lake
Superior the wind began to freshen up from
the northwest, and great bank of leaden
clouds along the northern horizon denoted
the approach of heavy weather. Realizing,
however, that the Algoma was one of the
strongest and most powerful steamers alloat,
and we'll ableto cope with even severe gale,
Capt. Moore kept her on her course. But as
night approached the wind increased in
violence and by dark, had developed into
one Of the fercest.and most destructive gales
ever experienced on the upper lakes. AS
the gale increased the sea began to make,
and before midnight Lake Superior was
dashed into wilderness of seething foam.
While the tempest screeched and howled,
great seas swept completely over the strug-
CLING steamer. The situation was made all
the more terrible by binding snow storm
that set in before morning. 1t was impos-
sihle 10 see the length of the steamer. The
measure and momentarily expected to see
the steamer plunge to the bottom By instruc-
tons of Capt. Moore the officers circulated
among the passengers trying TO allay their
fears. They were panic.stricken however,
and huddled together in the cabin, where
the screams and prayers Of the women and
children could be heard above the gale.
Saturday morning Isle Royal was sighted.
and Capt. Moore headed the steamer for
Rock Harbor, where he hoped TO gain shell
ter. The island forms a natural harbor of
refuge but near the entrance is dangerous
reef, and just as the steamer was nearing
the entrance she struck the reef. There
was terrific shock and then the steamer
came to full stop. The passengers rushed
to tell them what had happened. ave are
on reef" replied the captain, "but if you
will only keep as calm as possible l trust all
will be safely landed" Just then one of
the crew reported that the steamers bot
tom had been punctured, and that she was
filling with water. The boats were at once
got in readiness, and all started to leave the
steamer, but just as they were about to
lower them the steamer slipped off the reef
and disappeared with an angry roar. The
water was covered with the struggling
forms of men ard women and then all was
over. Only fourteen lived to tell the tale.
These got into one of the boats, but were
powerless to save themselves, as they were
without oars. Capt. Moore, however,
wrenched a footboard from the bottom Of
the boat, and with that as a paddle sue
ceeded in working the boat to the island,
where the survivors were picked up by the
Arthabasca. Mr.. Bently, the manager of
the line, has sent out tugs from here with
instructions to search Isle Royal for any
survivors that may possibly have gotten
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.