The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-15
TRAGEDY IN LAKE PEPIN.
LITTLE STEAMER UPSET AND OYER
A HUNDRED LIVES LOST


Excursion. whom n Hurricane overturns
Cabin-DyinE shrieks Heard Above the
storm-Aeonizing Scenes as the Dead
are Recovered From the Wreck.
LAKE CRY. Mimi. July 14.-Trescherous
Lake Pepin smiled and dimpled under cloud
less sky this morning. without a trace OF the
terrible disaster OF last niRht-the most horri-
bio OF tho long catalogue OF fatalities for which
this famous sheet OF water Ia noted. Lake
Pepin 10 merely an expansion OF the Mississippi
River from Red Wing on the north to Wabasha
on tho south, in all thirty miles In length, and
with an average breadth OF throo miles, the
widest point being at this city, whore the Ill
fsted steamer Sea Wing was swamred and her
freight OF human lives lost yesterday.
Lake City Is at the centre Of the west shore
ttho lake and Stockholm Ia on the Wisconsin
aide opposite. Near Lake City. on n bluH
overlooking the lake. is the encampment OF
the First Regiment Minnesota National Guard.
known as Cam? Lake View. 1t was to visit
this camp that the little steamer Sea Wing.
commanded by Capt D. N. Weathern. left Red
Wing early on Sunday morning with an excur-
sion party The sea Wing is q small craft q
stern. wheeler. with an upper cabin. and car
Red In tow an open. fiat barge. After spend
Ing tho day ut Lake City and the adjacent
camp the Sea Wing began her return voyage
shortly after o'clock last evening. At the
outset the wind was blowing fiercely from the
north. but the thought OF dangerous gale
mover occurred to the officers or passengers.
As tho little boat slowly struggled to tho
north the wind bore her toward the Wisconsin
shore. and. as the clouds grew ominously black,
suggestions came TO return to port. but the
Captain thought the storm could be weathered.
Suddenly the tempest descended. 1t was not
atornado but fierce, stralRhtawsy wind. that
piled the waves mountain high and rent the
forest on shore with o portentous crush that
carried dismay to the crowded boat and barge.
At the same time polling shower OF hail
began. beating mercilessly upon the unpro-
tected crowd In the barge and driving the party
On the steamer to the seclusion OF the cabin.
BY some fatal error the cabin doors were
booked. and the affriGhted women and children
were left to their fate. Tho storm rose with
created power and the wind gained force
0very second but the crowd stood pale and
dlent until suddenly Q voice broke out:
We're lost!"
It came from o pilot. and seemed to break
the spell. The sceno that followed was ono of
fronEy. fear. and despair Cries. sobs. and
ohrieks broke from every part OF the
boat and BY common impulse mon and
women sank to their knees and prayed
cloud. The Captain was now thoroughly
alarmed. and committed blunder that
cost many lives. Tho Wisconsin shore was
Nose at hand. and he directed the pilot to run
br It and beach the boat. The pilot protested.
end the Captain was induced to cut loose tho
floating barge. An order was given to put the
women aboard the barge but in the exotic
mentit wore unheeded. The rope was:cut and
the barge drifted rapidly away and grounded.
Thirty men and women were aboard and were
saved.
Released from the weight OF tho barge. the
Boa Wing tossed about like cookie shell, and
her head could not DO kept to the wind. Run for
the Shore" commanded the Captain. The mo-
mont the bow was turned toward the east the
wind caught tho craft amidships and whirled
1t clear around 1t riRhted and seemed safe.
but even the bowling OF the storm was lost in
the wild and despairlng shrieks that came
from the doomed passengers, Women clunR
to each other and to their children. and the
Of the Wind. that twas was now blowing hGrrleane
on aud II two 9S had iN 6er hod
torn away and were swept on into the boiling
TfS5s t null Sow S1d b SsR
Wing was lifted Into the air. The broadside OF
the vessel caught the force OF the gale. and the
turned over, and then dashed down Into the
river: The unner works were smashed to
the hull. which was raised above the river.
Beotes OF women and children sent up
Gs they were hurled into the water, the greater
portion Of them being carried underneath By
@ SG Soon Ta t tS % 'GS s h hs ae 81 Sa
stronger swimmers, and In few moments
some twenty.fye or more T$ we're safely Ls lodged
the temporary place OF safety assisted the 9TH
ers In climbing up the slippery surface. and In
the poor creatures were on the boat and adding |
their efforts to the united cry for help from the |
The fury OF tho storm was soon abated. and |
Just as the few remaining onee were beginning |
70 think there was hope, of escape from death
on It's side There was another struggle be-
were lost before the side OF the boat could be
sd a. and ns hS S4gG bad ssSa
men leaped on anG swan ashore. but those
who chung to the barge were iescued. The
'dHrEpess which oyerhunR the lake was dissi-
pa,ed and In ten minute. clear sky was re-
shores on both sides gave hone to the survivors
e e to both barge and wreck. TIE shEieEs
City on one los side " and Stockholm on the other
came the rescuing boats. About twenty i've
people were soon carried to the shore. Among
steamer Ethel Howard won ID not nut out 10
ne wreck when called upon by the citizens OF
pcently abated to make 1t safe for him to- do so.
Slany row boats pushed out Mt once, and John
burke OF 81. PAUL went out right away with his
little steam launch. With This little craft he
aid valuable service and saved many lives.
The launch was Kept cruising over the lake
nntll nearly daylight, and as late at 2 80 A. Nj.
Picked up an occasional e&cursionlst.
M2'a A. NJ. man WAS found by Mr.. Berkeys
boat who had been floating with a life pre-
server, ever since tho wreck, The man WAS
alive, but nearly exhausted. Early in the even
ING boy twelve years old came swimming TO
tie shore with lie preserver about him. ind
on alter man with two boys. one on each
arm reached the bank In SAFETY.
About midnight q band OF rescuers conRre-
gated on Central Point and commenced the
Work OF removing the bodies from the wreck.
BY, O'clock aity.two bodies were taken out
ana placed In q long row on the bank OF the
lake, All OF the bodies that could be secured
we're removed from tho boat, many moro stil
Iemq ming In the cabin, which could not DO
sesScned until The steamer was towed 70 the
eLore aitor daylight The bodies were later on
Ithen on board he steamer Ethel Howard
hhd at $3.50 4. NJ. the steamer started up tho
l9ke 10 Red Wing The bodies were ranged in
me steamer arrived at Its destination at G:l0
a NJ, hupdreds Of citizens OF the ll-fated city
OF iten ifCatOn