Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1890-07-19

and In a few minutes nearly 10 lives
we're lost. What appeared to be an or
binary electric storm was noticed COM
ing up from the west, but in half an
hour the whole heavens had been con-
gerted into lightning lined black can
bpy of death. A little before dark
terrifc wind struck the village, driving
everyone indoors. Trees were uproot-
ed, buildings wrecked, and much dam
age done in the short time the storm
lasted.
In a 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, a
small place about seventeen miles north
of here, on an excursion to the encamp-
xnent of The First Regiment, Minnesota
National Guard, which is being held
mile below this city. The steamer
Btarted back on the homeward trip
about o'clock, and, although there were
Hgns of an approaching storm, it was
lot considered in any way serious, and
No danger was anticipated.
The boat was crowded to it's fullest ca
pacity, about $50 men, women and chill
dren from Red Wing and Diamond
Huff being on board, and about so peo-
pie on barge, which was attached to
u the side of the steamer. When about
opposite Lake City the boat began to
feel the effects of the storm, but the Of
hcers kept on their way. The storm in
cfeased as the boat continued up the
Nike, and in fifteen minutes was at it's
I1eight.
Nearing Central Point, about two
miles above Lake City, the steamer was
AIT the mercy of the waves, which were
washing over the boat, and all was con-
fusion. The boat momentarily ran into
81 bar, and the barge was cut loose, and
The steamer again set adrlft in the lake.
III number of those on the barge jumped
md swan ashore. AS the barge t1oated
again into the deep water, those on the
Barge saw the steamer as it was carried
helplessly out into the middle of the
like, and as they were being tossed
About on the raging waters they were
Mortified moment later to see the
steamer capsize, it's load of $50 people
being precipitated into the lake.
Those on the barge remained there
until they were drifted near the shore,
and they were all rescued or swan
Whore. Among them were two ladies,
who were brought to the beach by
Gtrong and ready swimmers.
As soon as the storm began to effect
the progress of the boat Capt. Weathern
gave instructions to run the boat into
the Wisconsin shore, but it was too late.
HE waves were running too high to
permit the helmsman to operate the
adder, and the boat was at the COM
pete mercy of the storm. A few mo-
nae nts after the barge was cut away the
ssfeamer 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. A dozen or more secured the
few life-preservers that were to be
follnd and jumped into the water, pre-
ferring to take their chances.
~ n five minutes more the waves be-
0an to wash into the boat and fill the
lover decks, and while hailstones as
large as hens eggs came down on the
heads of the poor and helpless
creatures who were huddled together
On the top, huge wave struck the craft
on the side at the same moment that
blast of wind, more forcible than the
others, came up and carried the boat
over.
All of the people on board, $50 or
more, were thrown into the water,
some being caught underneath, and
ofhers thrown into the waves. The
beat turned bottom upwards, and only
ten or fifteen were observed floating on
sthe surface. These caught hold of the
beat and climbed up on the upturned
boftom, those first securing a position
assisting the others. In ten minutes
moro than twenty-five or SO, who had
obtained momentary safety on the
boat could observe no others
olA the boats crew, or pas
sengers floating on the surface
tic continuing high sea of waves
merward, however, as flash of light
mig lighted up the surface of the lake,
the sight of an occasional white dress of
aarowning woman or child was observ-
able, but it was impossible for those
WHO witnessed the horrible sight to
lend any aid. Those remaining began
cling for help from the shore. Soon
the storm began to abate, and in half an
h0llr lights were observed fitting about
On the pier at Lake City, opposite which
point the upturned steamer had now
lifted before hell could reach them.
The poor creatures who yet remained
tell the horrors of the night were
ain submitted to another battle with
the elements. With no word of warn
inN and as they were just beginning to
hope that they would be taken otfby the
p1fNens Of Lake City, the boat again
taKhed over, this time on its side, and
a4S3n all of the twenty-five re-
ma5ning souls were hurled into the
W4fer. Of these several were drowned
ahatnre they could be brought to the
Hh0H by those who succeeded in remain
ln&At1oat and again securing hold on
thH boats side.
ln a few moments a dozen or more
row boats were manned and put out
hn ch o1t no bifrI