Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-14
LAKE PEPIN'S HORROR
A Steamboat Overturned in a
Storm.
TWO HUNDRED LIVES LOST.
Seventy-Five Bodies Recovered
From the Lake Today.
sIcKENlNc DETAILS OF THE DISASTER

LAKE CrrY, MIMI, July l4-Last night Just
before dark q disastrous cyclone bore down
upon this community and in a few minutes
nearly 200 people we're killed What ap-
peared to be an ordinary electric storm was
noticed coming from the west, but in half an
hour the whole heavens had been converted
into hghtning-Iined black canopy of death.
A little before dark terrific wind struck the
village. driving every one indoors. Trees were
uprooted, buildings wrecked and much dam.
age done in the short time the storm lasted.
In few moments the news was abroad that an
excursion boat with over 200 people on it was
capsized in the middle Of Lake Pepin. The
boat was the steamer Sea Wing, which came
down the lake from Diamond Bluff, small
place about seventeen miles north Of here on
an excursion to the encampmsnt OF the first
regiment Of the Minnesota National Guard
which is being held a mile below this CITY, The
steamer started back on the homeward trir
about 8 o'clock, and, although there were
signs Of an approaching storm, it was not con.
sidered in any way serious and no danger wa,
anticipated. The boat was crowded to it's full.
est capacity, about $50 men, women and chill.
dren from Red Wing and Diamond Bluff being
on board and about 80 people on a barge,
which was attached to the side Of the steamer.
At THE MACY OF THE STORM.
When about opposite Lake City the boat
began to feel the fleets Of the storm, but the
officers kept on their way. The storm in
creased as the boat continued up the lake and
In hfteen minutes was at its height Nearing
Central Point, about two miles above Lake
City, the steamer was at the mercy of the
waves. which were washing over the boat and
all was confusion. The boat momentarily ran
on to bar aud the barge was cut loose and
the steamer again set adrift in the lake. A
number OF those on the barge jumped and
swan ashore. The barge foated again into
the deep water and those on her saw the
steamer carried helplessly out into the middle
OF the lake and tossed about on the raging
waters moment later they were horr flied
to see the steamer capsize and its cargo of l5O
people precipitsted into the lake. Those on
the barge remained there until they drifted
near shore and they were all rescued or swan
ashore. Among them we're two ladies, who
we're brought to the beach by strong and ready
swimmers
A. soon - the storm began to affect the
progress Of the boat, Capt weathern gave in
structions to run her into the Wisconsin shore.
but 1t was too late. The waves were running
too high to permit the helmsman to operate
the rudder, and the boat was at the complete
mercy Of the storm.
FEARFUL sIaHE
few minutes after the barge was cut away
the steamer was carried to the center of the
lake and the efforts Of the boats crew and the
more cool-headed passengers were devoted to
preparations for the worst. dozen or more
secured the few life preservers that we're to be
found and jumped into the water, preferring to
take their chances. In five minutes more the
waves began to wash into the boat and fill the
lower decks, and while hail stones as large as
hens eggs came down on the heads of the poor
and helpless creatures, who we're huddled to-
gether on the top, huge wave struck the craft
on the side at the same moment that a terrific
blast OF wind, more horribly forcible than the
Others came and carried the boat over. All of
the people on board, $50 or more, were thrown
into the water, some being caught underneath
and others thrown into the waves. The boat
turned bottom upward and only about Is people
were observed floating on the surface. These
caught hold Of the boat and climbed up on the
upturned bottom, those first securing position
assisting the others. In ten minutes more the
twenty-five or SO who had obtained momentary
safety on the boat could observe no others of
the boats crew or passengers floating on the
surface Of the waves. Afterward, however. as
a fash Of lightning lighted up the surface of
the lake, the sight Of an
OCCASIONAL WHITE DRESS
Of q drowning woman or child was observed.
but it was impossible for those who witnessed
the horrible sight to lend any aid Those re-
naming began calling for help from the shore.
Soon the storm began to abate. and in half an
hour lights were observed fitting about on the
pier at Lake City. opposite which point the up
turned steamer had now been driven before
help could reach ii. However, tho poor crea-
lures who yet remained TO tell the horrors of
he night were again submitted to another bat
lie with the alements With no word of
and Is they we're just beginning to
hope that they would be taken of by the citi-
'ens OF Lake City, the boat again turned
'ver, this time on its side, and again
VI Of the twenty-five remaining souls were
hurled into the water. or these several were
drowned before they could be brought to the
BOAT by those who succeeded in remaining
float and again securing hold on the boat
lde. In few moments dozen or more row
'oats we're manned and put out from the shore.
ithough the high sec of waves had not vet /
ubsided, and after securing the lake for q |
Iuarter Of an hour the upturned boat was at |
asst discovered, the twenty or more remaining
'eople clinging 70 the boat were rescued and /
rought to the shore, most Of them being men
rho could swim.
LET OF rHR LOST.
Among those known to have been ON board
he steamer and who are undoubtedly drowned
70:
Two children Of C. q. Rehdor, who we're on
be barge.
Peter Gerksn, his wife, Ave children and his
ired girl.
Fred schsrf, wife and one daughter.
Mrs.. Capt wethern and her two children.
Fred Christ.
VIM. Baker and family Of three.
Mrs. Rsnpftling and dssghssr.
A Miss Flynn.
Baxo Adama
Ira Fulton.
In Lake City the damage 10 property BY the
yclons Il great although no fatalities have
cen rsportsd Collins Bros. saw and planning