New-York tribune., 1885-02-09
THE ALASKA OFF SANDY HOOh.
THE STORY OF HER STORMY VOYAGE.
WAITING FOR HIGH TIDE AT The BAR-IHE LAKf

THE STORY OF HER STORMY VOYAGE.
WAITING FOR HIGH TIDE AT THE BAR-THE LAKE
WINNIPEG AT QUARANTINE.
All fears for the long overdue steamship Alaska
of the Guion line dispelled yesterday, when
at 11O D. m the lookout of the Associated Press at
Fire Island discovered the lame greyhound
of the sea with steamship of the
Beaver Line in tow passing along the horizon
in the direction OF Sandy Hook. The two
steamships entered thick fog soon after
passing Fire Island and were not seen again until
about o'clock when the fog lifted and the look
out at Sandy Hook saw them passing In by the
lightship The ebb was running, and 1t was about
half tide when the Alaska and the Beaver Line
steamship reached the bar. The larger Ship not
daring to cross, anchored to wait for the morning
tide Four tugs were sent down to ner assistance.
The Beaver Line ship, Lake Winnipeg, being of
lighter draught came over the bar and up to Quar-
antine.
The Alaska left Queenstown two weeks ago yes
terday. and due on the morning OF February l.
She was sighted by the steamship Lesslng, OF the
Hamburg American Line on January ~, III iati-
tude 400 81 Longitude 800 30, and was then appar-
emily all right. On Thursday last she was seen
by the City of Chester in latitude 420 49, longitude
600 IA She was then disabled and was using the
Beaver Line vessel, Lake Winnipeg, as rudder.
She was supposed to be heading for Halifax and
some anxiety was felt owing to her non-arrival al
that port The result proved that after the CITY OF
Chester left the Alaska her course was changed Tor
this port. III,
The plan of utilizing another vessel as a rudder,
in case of the steering apparatus being disabled is
novel one The plan adopted is simple one
when understood A towing hawser Is taken IRON
the stem or Prov of the vessel that is towod and
passed to the stern of the towing vessel and iaade
fast to point called the PIVOT m%ac mear aget be T
stern are fitted two purchases one on the pori ana
the other on he starboard side of the quarter, on
deck, for the purpose of detecting the hawSer
eli her TO the port or starbOard and, by the angle
thus made changing the direction OF the power on
the hawser, which would Grange the direction Oh
the vessel In other words, any detection. either
to the right left of the towing-ne. Dy means OF
the purchases, or steering tackle, produces the
effect as putting the ntlin OF lle SVdlleI /"
port starboard.
The agent of the Associated Press at Qnarautine
made two attempts to reach the Lake "inni?eE
but was prevented by the great quantities OF float
ice III the Narrows . -, !.
The steamer was finally reached. The story of
the AaSka's voyage, aS far a. could be learned
was as folowsl The Lake Winnipeg left Liverpool
on January 22. EOn February t., at : p H. she
sighted steamer showing signals OF distress; ne
the Alaska Her captain reported that he had en-
counteTed severe weather after leaving 'leenstown
and had battled with head seas and hlgn winds
continually up TO the time the Lake " innlpeg ran
across hlms The Alaska had lost her ruddcr three
days before, aud had been drifting about unable
To keep her head to the high seas. and consequently
was rolling frightfuly. Attempts had been made
to steer the vessel by he- sails but she was tossed
about fearfully by the high seas before the Lake
Winnipeg met her The passengers on the Alaska.
of whom there about 300 were anNious hut
not panic-stricken. The provisions were plentiful,
and the coal held out. so that there was no III
mediate danger
The captain of the Alaska requested the Lake
tbe steamer as n drag TO steer with. Two chain
cables were got Pout and the Alaska taking the
Lake Winnipeg in tow started for thissport at md
night On Saturday night the starh"ard cable
parted After some difficulty the Alaska made fast
again and went ON. When the Lake Winnipeg met
tie Alaska she was in latitude si2S 80 longitude
coo 3O' $50 miles from Halifax. All are well on
hoard the Alaska, which will be towcd MP to the
city to day. For the last few days the Lake WIN
nineo and the Alaska had faYorng winds.