Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-10
DISASTER on THE LAKE.
The Iron Steamship Algoma
Wrecked on Lake Superior.
Thirty. Seven Lives Reported
Lost.

says: "A fearful disaster occurred on Lake
Superior, of Port Arthur, early this MORN
ing. The magnificent iron steamer Algoma
OF the Canadian Pacific railroad was wrecked
and 81 lives lost. Only meagre particulars
have been received. They consist mainly of
kilograms to private persons announcing the
loss of friends. Mr.. Z. Dudgeon of this CITY
received, a few moments ago, the following
telegram:
.Algoma gone down. Your wife and two
children are drowned"
(Signed) JOE VIVIAN.
Mr.. Dudgeon's wife was thirty years old,
and the children are boy and girl, six and
tour years old respectively. Mr.. Dudgeon
is from Owen Sound and was sending his
family back to Ontaria.
The steamer left for Port Arthur at P.
NJ, and was wrecked off Isles Royal, Just at
the outside of Thunder Bay. A heavy storm
prevailed all Sunday afternoon and night and
the steamer Law to for time. When the
weather cleared slightly, the vessel started
again but made slow progress. In the morn
ing dense fog prevailed and the steamer
felt her way along, blowing fog horns. She
| struck reef and went down, all hands on
board being reported lost. The steamer was
bound for Owen Sound, with passengers for
Toronto and other points east. John G.
Brown, brick layer of this city, accompa-
MED by his sister, is known to be on board,
bound for Scotland to visit his old home for
six months. Capt Moore is master of the
vessel.
1t now turns out that the Algoma was COM
ing into Port Arthur and not going out when
the wreck occurred. She left Owen Sound
last Thursday and was wrecked SATURDAY.
night. The first known of the disaster was
when the steamer Arthabasca of the same
line arrived at Port Arthur late this evening
with the crew of the Algoma. consisting Of
thirteen sailors and two passengers, who were
the only ones saved. The Arthabasca, which
lef, Owen Sound two days after the Algoma,
came upon the wreck at Isle Royal and found
the crew and two passengers in a perishng
condition on the island The wreck had been
dashed by the maddened waves against the
rocks, and had finally beaten against the
shore of the island. The crew and two pas
sengers saved themselves by taking to the
life boat, and battling with the waves until
the shore was reached. The boat was washed
over several times, but righted, while the
men clung closely to its sides. They sue
ceeded in reaching the land almost dead from
exposure and exhaustion
The storm continued to rage furiOusly all
night, the rescued remaining on the beach
watching the wreck beat against the rock
bound island and seeing the dead bodies
dashed on the surf against the shore. The
Arthabasca came along about noon today
and as the channel is narrow could not avoid
seeing the wreck and the distress signals of
those on the island. A boat was sent ashore
and brought the rescued to the Arthabasca,
which set sail for Port Arthur, where it ar
rived about o'clock this evening. There is
| pypitpmapt in ho cit
many had friends on board.
The Algoma was thoroughly built and
splendidly equipped, Clyde built steamer
lighted by electricity, gross tonnage 1880,
length 270 feet, breadth SO feet She was
complete in every detail. The furnishing
was luxurious, equal to the finest ocean
steamers. The vessel cost S450.000 and is
understood to be insured for $500, 900. 1t
was one of the three steamers-Alberta, Ar
thabasca and Algoma-purchased two years
ago by the Canadian Pacific r. r., for lake
traffic, since which time she has been plying
between Owen Sound and Port Arthur, doing
a big business.
J. G. Brown and sister referred to above,
were not on board the steamer, not being
outward bound. Dudgeon's wife and chill
dren were on their way from Owen Sound to
join their husband here and were lost.
OWENS SOUND, Ont, Nov. 8.
By the wrecking of the steamer Algoma
about eight passengers and 25 of the crew
are supposed to be lost Among those saved
is Capt. Moore. Full particulars have not
been received.
Mr. Beatty, manager of the lake traffic,
sent out tugs from Port Arthur with instruc-
items to search Isle Royal for any survivors
who may have got ashore and pick up and
take care of auy bodies that NAV be found
The tugs are now at the scene of the wreck.