Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-20
BLUsTER OF THE BLIZZARD.
Terrible Experiences of a Schooncr's
Grew on the Lake.

NHICAGO, NOV. W,-turJner partlCu-
lars concerning the great storm which
on the lakes Wednesday and
Thursday show that ON Lake su-
perior 1t was one OF the fercest
gales that ever swept the lake. At
Marquette the lake was lashed into a
sea OF toam by the terrible force of the
wind and sea, after the sea rolled over
the breakwater, producing . tremendous
current and undertow Ia the harbor.
Vessels at the docks snapped their las
Jennings like threads and were soon COM
PEELED to go out and lie at anchor.
The break water harbOr light was torn
from It's timber fastenings and washed
into the sea. The tower was lifted by an
immense wave and hurled top first 10 the
lake, where 1t drifted rapidly towards
the rolling mill. The rescue Of the crew
OF the Cleveland schooner Florida by the
tug Gillett was daring act, and was wilt
messed b, a great crowd that thronged
the beach. The Florida would have made
The har6or IN safety but for the driving
snow storm. When the snow storm
abated little the Captain of the Florida
found his boat in imminent danger OF
being dashed against tho breakwater,
and he at once dropped both anchors.
RESCUED BY HEROES.
Capt. Friuk, OF the tug Gtllett, steamed
to the rescue. He saw that he could not
save the vessel and bent all his energies
toward resouing the crew. The Captain
endeavored to set up to the Florida sew
eral times bow on, hut was u nable TO do
10, and finally backed up. getting the
tugs stern under the vessels quarter.
The Florda'e crew then began 10 leap for
their lives, a very difficult thing consider
ing the immense breakers which swept
q haa "A n as,AE E.x o hal "a.
lett jumping about all the time. After
three OF them had reached the tug
safely heavy sea threw her against the
Florida, and for few minutes it looked
as II the Gillett would share the schoon-
ers fate. Her engine was on the centre
and the wheel could not be moved either
way, while the great rollers were sending
the tug toward the shore rapidly. Three
men In the crank pit, however, managed
to turn the crank just in time 10 enable
the daring Captain a little time TO save
her and return to the work OF rescue.
After the Gillett was In position again
Two more sailors made the leap
IN safety. and then only the
Captain and mate were left.
THE MATES HORRIBLE DEATH.
The Captain was not willing TO leave
the vessel before Mate Peterson waa
safely of, but the latter refused to Jump,
although repeatedly ordered 10 do so by
both captains. Finally be crept over tho
side OF the Florida and clung there
despite the entreaties OF the men on the
tug below, who wanted him to let himself
drop and even attempted to pull him
down, put were unable to loosen his hol,'.
just as he clung there great sea hurlt d
the tug against the schooner with terrib e
force, ca ching the unfortunate man be-.
tween the vessels and grinding his
legs into a pulp. As the YES
sells separated he was caught and
drawn aboard the tug, the Captain max.
ing the leap AT the same moment. The
mate was taken from the tug 10 the
freight office on Merchandise pier ana
medical aid summoned. Amputation OF
both legs would nave been necessary, ana
he WAS 100 weak TO stand the operation.
lie died in a few hours after he was
brought on shore. He was about 80 years
OF age and leaves a wife in Cleveland,
whose name was constantly on his lips
as he lay d. ing.
RESCUED FROM THE WRECKS.
MARQUETTE, MICH Nov. 10 The officers
aud Q ew OF tue steam barge Robert Wal
lace, 10 men, and her consOrt schooner,
the David Wallace, with nine men. which
went ashore on Cbocolay beach in the
storm OF Yesterday, were rescued about 0
O'Clock this morning by Grew from the
life-savlng station at HOughton, which
came with boats and apparatus on a
special tram. The barge was destroyed
but the schooner will probably be saved.
TWO BARoEe wRECKED.
FRANKFORT, MICE, Nov. 1e.--Tbo
barges Minekaunie and Marinette, In tow
OF the steam barge Manistique, laden
with lumber at Oscoda for Chicago, broke
loose esterday morning twenty miles OF
Manitou island. They we're waterlogged
and went ashore four miles south OF
Frankfort. Both baryes are total wrecks.
The two crews numbering fifteen men,
were all lost except one named q. W.
Annis.
HOTEL BLOWN AWAY.
MIDDLETowN, ". Y, Nov. 19.--The
gale of yesterday completely destroyed
the summer hotel in process OF construc-
on on Walnut mountain, one mile from
Liberty, Sullivan county. 1be whole
structure was liited from It's foundation
and carried twelve ieet and is n LOlai
wreck. Eighteen men were engaged Ia
the building at tho time putting up par
titions and ch mneys, and all miraculOusly m
escaped unlDJured with the exception Of
one named Beebe, who was seriously
hurt. The building was elk stories high
and 90 by go feet, and Intended TO accom-
modate 200 guests.