The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-07-23
DEATH FLEW FAST.
SUDDEN AND AWFUL STORM ON A
WISCONSIN LAKE.

SUDDEN AND AWFUL STORM ON 4
WISCONSIN LAKE.
A Steamer Oyertaken and Capsized-Men
Women and Children Thrown Struggling
into Raging Water-Awful Scenes of the
Tempest-Rescuins Parties at Work.
LAKE C1rY, MINI, July 16.-Sunday
night just before dark disastrous
cyclone lore down upon this com
munity, and in q few minutes nearly
two hundred people were killed.
What appeared to be an ordinary
electric storm was noticed coming
from the west, but in half an hour
the whole heavens were converted
into lightning lined black canopy
of death. A little before dark a ter
rife wind struck the Village, driving
every one in doors. Trees were up
rooted, buildings wrecked and much
damage done in the short time the
| storm lasted In q few moments
news was abroad that an excursion
boat with over two hundred people
on it was capsized in the middle Of
Lake Peppin. The boat was the
steamer "Zawing," which came down
from the Lake Diamond Bluff, q
small place about seventeen miles
north of here, on an excursion to the
encampment Of the First Regiment
of National Guards, which is being
held mile below the city.
The steamer started back on the
homeward trip about eight o'clock
and although there we're signs of an
approaching storm it was not con-
sidered in any way serious and no
danger was anticipated.
The boat was crowded to it's fullest
capacity, about $50 men, women and
children from Red Wing and Diamond
Bluff being on board and about fifty
people on a barge which was attached
to the side of the steamer. When
about opposite Lake City the boat
began to feel the effects of the storm
but the officers kept on their way.
The storm increased as the boat con-
tinued up the lake and in fifteen min
utes was at its sheight. Nearing Cen
trail Point, about two miles above
Lake City the steamer was at the
mercy of the waves which were wash
ing over the boat, and all was con-
fusion. The boat momentarily ran
on bar and the barge was cut loose
and the steamer again set adrift into
the like. A number jumped over
board and swan ashore. As the barge
Aoated again into deep water those
on the barge saw the steamer as it
was carried helplessly out into the
middle Of the lake and as they were
being tossed about on raging
waters were horrifed to see the
steamer capsized and its cargo OF $50
people thrown into the. lake.
The barge remained there until
they were drifted near shore, Or
swan ashore. There were number
of ladies who were brought to the
beach by strong and ready swimmers.
As soon as the Storm struck the
boat Captain Weatheln gave lnstruc-
tions to run the boat INTO the Wis
consin shore, but it was too late.
The waves were too strong to permit
the working of the rudder. After the
barge was cut away it was carried to
the middle of the lake and boats
were lowered by the crew and the
more cool headed passengers were
devoted to preparations for the worst.
A dozen OF more secured the few
life preserve1s that were to be found
and Jumped into the water, prefel11ng
to take their chances. In five min
utes more the waves began to wash
into the boat and fill the lower decks
while hailstones as large as hens
eggs came down upon the heads Of
the people, while 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 up and carried the boat
oyer.
AL Of the people on board, $50 or
more, were thrown into the water,
some being caught underneath and
others thrown into the water. The
boat turned bottom upwards, and
only about twenty-five people were
observed floating on the surface:
These caught hold Of the uptulned
bottom, those first securing a posi-
ton assisting others. In fifteen min
utes more twenty-five or thirty who
had obtained safety OF the boat could
observe no others.
After the crew and passengers had
made a thorough search in the I'M
mediate vicinity of the boat they be-
esn more extensive search. After
ward, however, as flash Of lightning
LIGHTED the surface Of the lake, by the
brilliant light the dress of drown
inc woman or child was observed,
but it was impossible for those who
witnessed the horrible sight to render
| any aid. Those remaining began to
| call for help from the shore.
Soon the storm began to abate and
| in a half hour lights were observed
fitting about en- the shore near where
the steamer had been d1ifted before
help could reach it. The poor crea-
lures who remained to tell the horrors
of the night were again compelled to
suffer further horrors OF the elements;
A hail storm burst with no word OF
warning, and as they were Just be-
ginning to hope that they would be
taken off by the citizensof Lake City,
the boat again turned over, this time
on it's side and all of the twenty-five
passengers we're hurled into the water
and drowned before they coi'-d DE
brought to the boat by those who
succeeded in remaining aAoat and
, = -, 4l,o CHIME edo