Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-10-25
BARGE ATTIRE IN A GALE.
Nine of the Grew Take to a Lifeboat,
but are Drowned.
Terrible Experience OF sailors on ves-
sci on Lake Huron-Resoued atA
Critical Moment.

Critical Moment.
The Anchor Line steam barge Annie Young
was burned to the waters edge OIL Lexington,
in Lake Huron Mich, Nine members Other
crew, who tried escape the flames in a life
boat were lost
The remaining, after being driven clear
into the fore peak, where they stood until
their clothes caught fire and their faces and
n = were bistcrci by the heat were res
cued by the steam barge Edward Smlih. The
latter bore down ON the buring vessel from
windward, and despite the heavy wind and
sea ran so close that the endangered sailors
were enabled to leap from her rails and es.
cape what had seemed certain death.
The Annie Young passed out Of the 81.
Clair River into Lake Huron ~ o'clock.
The wind was blowing rafting gale from
the northward. A heavy sea was running
aud when she got beyond the shelter of the
point she made little or no Roadway. Just as
she was abreast OF the Lexington Lighthouse
smoke was seen issuing from the main hatch.
The hatch cover was removed, the crew sent
TO IRE quarters, and ever preparation made 20
extnguish the flames but the latter had
gained such Roadway in the highly infam.
mable cargo that IL was impossible TO check
them.
The iremen, engineers, and stewards had
to run for their lives and it was only after
they had all been severely burned that thew
reached a spot auiiships where the rest u
the crew, under the leadership Of Captain
Miller was making q gallant but homeless
fight to save the vessel.
She fell Oh into The trough OF the sea ,yhera
she rolled and plunged in way that threat.
ened to send her to the bottom. Sea after see
hos 4
into the open matches. but the fire seemed 10
burn more fiercely than ever. As IL an.
preached the i0remast, driven ont by the gale
II ignited d LOT Of oil barrels slowed ON the
main deck.
Barrel after barrel Of the blazing oil az
ploded, with such torcr as 20 tear the deck
planks from under the feet Of The men. Tie
hre spread all through the hold with tha
rspidity Of lighting. Flames shot out Of tho
toreastle hatch and developed everything
about it.
When the danger to the boats first became
apparent Captain Miller ordered the star.
board boat cleared away and lowered Nina
men took their places in It before the falls
we're cast adrit. They pushed away NOM
the burning vessel manned their oars and
made gallant attempt % bring the frail
cram head into the sea. Just As thew were
rounding to under the vessels quarter A ter.
rife sea caught the boat, aud, seemingly iift-
ing 1t clear OIL the water threw it end over
end.
In a moment nine mcu were struggling with
the waves for their lives. One poor fellow
reached the capsized boat aud was working
with the energy Of despair 10 get astride IL
the keel, when lac was torn away by another
sea and sent to the bottom. The cntagtrophe
to The boat happened in full view Of Captain
Miller and the twelve brave fellows who re.
manned with him aboard Of the burning vessel.
They watched the drowning men 70 down.
one by one, all the time shouting words ~
encouragement 20 those who were trying "a
swim to the doomed vessel, and so intense was
their interest 10 the scene that they momen.
tarily forgot their own danger.
The men on the Annie Young could NOT
reach the only remaining ill., boat, for II was
already ableze, and barrier Of fire flashed h.
heir way. Il looked a. IL they must ali share
the fate Of the poor fellows who went "a ~
the first boat, for inch by inch the FIRE drove
them forward, until they were all huddled
together 10 the iorepeak. II seemed but
choice OF death between FIRE and water
The men could not see the Smith rs she
bore down on the burning steamer, on account
Of the binding smoke, aud they did not know
rescue was so near at hand until they heard
The cheering shouts OF the Smiths crew. lt
required the most skilful kind Of vancouver.
ing TO keep the big UNDERGONE boat headed
into the seas, so she would dritt down on the
Young, and thus give the laitcr'u crew q
chance TO leap Tor their lives, Just a. the two
bargos came together Captain Miier's cont
caught fre the clothes OF other officers were
also burning and all hands were suffering 40
fearfully from the heat that they we're about
ready to plunge into the lake.
As the We sells came together with n crash
the crew Of the Young jumped for the rail
like tigers and scrambled over TO the deck 0f
the rescuing yessei. To get the latter beyond
the reach OF the flames required but turn Of
the wheel, and the Annie Young was len 70
burn and sink.
The rescued sailors are unable 10 give any
clear idea as 20 how the ire originated, b.t Il
is the opinion that it was The result Of hand
ling light incautiously among the oil barrels