The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-15
The Worst Fears Of the Big
Blow Realized.
Lake Steamer CapSized With
!. i5O People

oOrt no.
rker, Nfhe Boat Turned Bottom Upward
and They Clung to Her as She
bra Came Up-Fitty People on Barge
ssvanITowed by the Steamer Escaped by
.sters 10 Miracle-Many Other Lives Lost
Along the Path of the Rushing Air
Monster.
LAKE CITY, MINI, July 14.-Last night,
just before dark disastrous cyclone bore
down upon this community and in a few
minutes nearly 200 people had been killed
What appeared to be an ordinary electric
storm was noticed coming from the west,
: but in half an hour the whole heavens had
st been converted into lightning lined black
canopy OF death. A little before dark a
terrific wind struck the village and every
one rushed in doors. Trees were uprooted,
buildings wrecked and much damage was
done in the short time the storm lasted.
A STEAMER CAPsIzED.
In few moments 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
Il, came down the lake from Diamond bluff a
(aA small place about seventeen miles north of
/, here, on an excursion to the encampment of
H Ethe First Regiment National Guard, state
psr Militia, which is being held mile below
PeacOcle city. The steamer started back on her
;ino Hsn omeward trip about O'clock and although
Esnes '9re were signs of the approaching storm
.S!y Jorat was not considered in any way serious
HIM Ssl no danger was anticipated
4 Mel, CROWDED To THE RAILS
1ETppfhe boat was crowded to its fullest ca
bacon leity, about $50 men, women and children
N ey TL gno N Red Wing and Diamond Bluff being
ticEson aboard, aud about fifty people on a
sVa19lssfge 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-
n tinued up the lake, and in fifteen
minutes was at his hight.
II When 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 a bar and the
barge was cut loose and the steamer again
set adrift in the lake.
CAPsIzING OF THE STEAMER.
A number of those on the barge Jumped
and swan ashore as the barge floated 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
n | were being tossed about on the raging
|, waters. they were Mortified moment later
to see the steamer capsze and its cargo of
100 people precipitated into the lake. Those
M on the barge remained there until
i they they were drifted near the shore
and were all rescued, or swan ashore.
Among them were two ladies who were
brought to the beach by strong and ready
n swimmers. As soon as the storm began to
ftfect the progress of the boat Capt Weth.
i, j gave instructions to run her into the
fisconsin shore, but it was too late The
'ater was running too high to permit the
lhelsman to operate the rudder, and the boat
was completely at the mercy of the storm
r II few moments.
PREPARING FOR THE WORST.
After the barge was cut away the steamer
was carried to the center of the lake, and
Ehe efforts of the crew and more cool
lneaded passenger were devoted to prepara-
flonS for the worst. A dozen or more secured
II kne few life preservers that were
LIZ be found and jumped into
.le water. preferring to take their
rfhances In five minutes more the waves
EFegan to wash into the boat and fill the
wer decks. and hailstones as large as heus'
vggs came down on the heads of the poor
:-fhd helpless creatures who were huddled
tgether on top A huge wave struck the
aft on the side at the same moment that
.... terrific blast Of wind, more horrible forci-
.... Than the Others came up, and carried
800. 10 boat over. All of the people on board,
... kO or more, were thrown into the water,
''''' me being caught underneath, and others
so" troWn into the waves.
nj TURNED BOTTOM UPWARD.
III The boat turned bottom upward, and
t4y about twenty-five people were observed
d. the surface. These caught hold of the
Pat and climbed up on the uptnrned bot
NJ IN, those first securing position assisting
n Others. In ten minutes more those who
n obtained momentary safety on the
fat could observe no others of the boats
lew or passengers floating on the surface
III me sea of waves. Afterward, however, as
N snes of lightning lighted up the surface
~ lhe lake the surface was seen to be dotted
and there with the dresses of drowning
k6l uien and children, but it was impossible
those who witnessed the horrible sight
UQI lend any aid. The survivors on the
boi aher's bottom began calling for help
tn the shore. Soon the storm began to
iSto Ete, and In half an hour lights were OBJ
- ,,,,ik we'd Hitting about on the pier at Lake
'dl ~ opposite which point the upturned
en- t amer had now been driven.
boar od HG1S ranob TURNS r. boaRar OVER
Bah Creatures who yet remained to tell the
oher fsS bg gHt With were S sadn Hgain submitted M5
ATCTu OF warning, and as they were just be-
mug to hope that they would be taken off
thectizens of Lake City the boat again
led over, this time on its side, and again
II the twenty-five remaining survivors
\ hurled into the water. OF these sew
were drowned before they could be
ght to the boat by those
" succeeded in remaining
and securing a hold on
J. ooat's side. In a few moments dozen
Aore boats were manned and put out