The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-23
A FREEZING JOURNEY.
The Trip Of Three Men Who Abandoned an
Ice-Bound Lake Steamer.

CHICAGO, Feb. 21.-The passenger steamer
Michigan, which was reported lost with all hands,
is fast in the ice between South Haven and Mil
waukee and will probably be brought safely
into port within few days The first tidings of
the steamers whereabouts were received when
three of her crew made perilous journey
across the vast fields of ice that lay between the
steamer and the mainland. They reached
South Haven on the east shore of Lake
Michigan, and at once communicated with
their friends by telegraph. These three
men were w p Kinney clerk; Daniel Martin
steward, and Joseph Russell, mate All three
arrived in Chicago yesterday the mate and
steward having the care of the clerk, who was
on his way home to Milwaukee Mr. Kinney is
in critical condition, his right leg having been
frozen below the knee. 1t is feared that the leg
wi II have to be amputated, although the ply
sicians in South Haven expressed hopes that it
might be saved Mr. Russell, the mate, gave
the following account of the cruise of the Mich
igan:
1--WE left Grand Haven for Milwaukee two
weeks ago next Monday morning, with cargo
of general merchandise and few passengers.
Ihere were twenty one persons aboard includ-
ing the crew. We did not take direct course
for Milwaukee. had been instructed to
make careful search for the propeller Oneida,
which was considerably overdue at Grand
Haven. The weather was very cold when
we left port, and it was pretty thick out
side, but the indication We're favorable for the
weather clearing up Soon after we left the
piers the wind suddenly canted to the north
west and commenced to blow terrible gale.
1t was one of the wickedest blows l ever
storm set in, and the temperature fell
10 go below zero. It was so thick that the
wheelsman could not see half length ahead.
The storm ragged with unabated fury throughout
the day 1t blew harder and harder every min
ute The lake dashed into foam, and ire
mendouS waves swept over decks at every
plunge. From stem to stern the Michigan was
perfect skating rink, and it was pelllous to at
tempt crossing her decks. Cracking and groan
ing, we urged her through the fields of floating
ice, and worked down the lake until got
abreast of Point Au Sable, thinking that we
might fetch Ludington. But the gale became
even more furious, and it was an utter inpossi
blity to keep her head up into the wind.
THE engineer pushed her as hard as possible,
but she continually swung broadside to the gale
and buried herself in the trough of the sea. 1t
began to look as if it was all up with u.s. | don't
think there are many boats on the lake that
could stand what the Michigan did. She is built
of iron, and, am told, cost $500 000 but she
was mere cockle-shell in that storm Finding
that we could do nothing with her, we came
about and let the storm drive asterr Tuesday
South Haven, where were packed in solid
mass of ice The Northwestern had driven all the
ice up the lake, and open water could not
be seen in any direction, even with the
aid of powerful glass Making ourselves as
comfortable as possible under the circumstances,
we settled down in our prison to wait change
of wind, hoping the ice would soon be broken
up But the ice has continued to make every
night and it may be month before the steamer
gets into port
''After remaining there for over week, we
three determined to get ashore if possible and
let our friends know that we were still alive. We
bundled up as best we could and started to walk
across eighteen miles of solid ice, leaving the
boat at o'clock last Tuesday morning You
can imagine what kind of journey we had
when l tell you that the thermom-
eter registered considerably below zero.
ard a bitter westerly wind swept across the
lake and cut like knife. Then, again. we would
strike places where the ice was piled up in huge
hlsrmocks, We had to climb over tn I'm as best
we could, picking our way carefully, to avoid the
many air holes We had nothing to guide us
but our compass, but at our efforts were
rewarded by a sight Of land We gave one
rousing cheer and pushed on with fresh energy
About this time though. Kinney broke through
an air hole and buried his leg in the water up to
the knee. 1t was most unfortunate, as we had
of drying his clothing, which be-
came as stiff as iron. Then his leg grew
numb and, although we gave him LIQUOR and
did everything in our power to help him, he
SuCCUiuUeu 10 Iue COlu anu dShSu us 10 20 on
and leave him to his fate. We were five miles
off shore when the accident happened, but be-
tween us we succeeded in getting our friend on
land
give times he lay down to die, and implored
us to look out for ourselves. 1t was o'clock In
the afternoon when we reached the shore, bring
ing up at a small farm house, eight miles north
of South Haven. We were kindly cared for
and taken to South Haven where we secured
medical attendance for Kinney The Michigan
had about eighty tons of coal aboard when we
left and provisions enough to last about two
weeks. Assistance will be sent her from Grand
Haven"