Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-17
Thrilling Experience Of Four Hun.
dred American Tourists.
PERILS OF THE ST. LAWRENCE.
The Steamer Columbian Run Aground to
save Certain Wreck.
THE STEERING GEAR WOULDN'T WORK
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,

IiouCc. 1uc OolumDidH WuiCu vas ou ucl
way from Kingston to Montreal had about
200 American tourists on board. Every
thing went well until the steamer struck
Cedar Rapids When about half through
the rapids, the chains connecting with the
steam steering gear suddenly broke. As
quick as lightning the pilot, Quellette, who
Is one of the oldest pilots Of the line, con-
nected the hand steering gear, but, to his
consternation, this also broke.
The boat was darting down the rapids at
the rate of between 10 and 20 miles an hour
Death to all on board seemed imminent,
when. realizing the situation, Ouellette Or
dered all steam on. This was done in order
to prevent the Columbian drifting help
lessly down the rapids, where, without
steering gear to keep the steamer under
control, she would soon have gone broad
side to the current and rolled over. Under
the impetus of the forceful screw the Colum-
bian made with the rapidity of railroad
train straight toward little island in the
rapids, Crane Island.
Pushed Ashore on Crane Island.
Not passenger on board knew what had
occurred, none realized how close they
were to eternity. Indeed most of them
thought it was down in the programme to
take them so close to the island that just
before reaching the island the steersman
would, with deft turn of the wheel, sheer
the boat off and she would continue on her
way down the boiling rapids. Suddenly
a crunching sound was heard as the keel of
the steamer grated along the rocks The
Columbian had gone ashore in the center Of
the dangerous Cedar Rapids
As soon as this fact became known there
was general alarm on board, but no panic
occurred. Perhaps the easiness with which
the Columbian struck had something to do
with this There was no sudden shock. The
steamer was simply forced upon the shelv-
ing though rocky bottom. She did not
run right up out of the water, but the hull
was several feet out. No hole appeared to
be knocked In her, for as far as could be
seen no water entered the boat. Fortunate
1t was for the passengers that the Columbian
had struck so hard. The terrific current
running like a mill sluice caught the stern
of the Columbian, swinging her round
broadside to the island. If she had not
been hard aground the current would have
carried her off the island and swept her
helplessly down the rapids.
Passengers Anxious to Get Ashore.
When the passengers discovered that they
had actually ran ashore, great anxiety was
expressed to reach the land, as it was feared
the steamer might be carried down by the
current at any moment A rope bridge to
the island was first suggested, but finally
temporary bridge was made by the cutting
down of two trees. Hawsers were thrown
out to the shore and the Columbian was safe
in her dangerous position. About one-half
the passengers went ashore by the bridge.
There were three islands to be crossed before
they could reach the mainland. 1t was
very difficult making their way through the
thick brush of the islands. In some places
the nettles were over mans head, but
through it all the passengers cheerfully
plodded. 4 :
Between two of the islands parties of
boatmen belonging to the place transferred
them. The trip between the islands was
an experience that few of the passengers
will ever forget. Unused to the furious
current the sight of the tearing waters
frightened many of them. Those of the
passengers who desired to reach the Cedars.
where they were kindly received, secured
comfortable lodgings in the cottages of the
villagers One party drove to Vandrevil,
some camped out and some slept on board
the Columbian. The Richelieu & Ontario
Navigation Company sent up the steamer
Bohemian to bring down the passengers,
and she returned this afternoon. The ma
jority of the passengers were American
tourists on their way to visit Montreal and
Quebec.
Stories of the Passengers.
Mr. Gavin, one of the passengers, told
The following story: eve had all been
reading graphic descriptions of how, in
shooting the rapids, the boat would seem to
be going ashore as on an island, and then
BY skillful steering would Veer into the
channel And as we noticed the steamer
bearing directly upon the island upon
which We were wrecked, it seemed as
though the printed descriptions were per-
of the bottom crunching upon the rocks, the
tight of the bowsprit in among the treetops
IN the shore and the sudden stoppage of the
7essel at once produced general alarm |
among the passengers.
fortunately 1t was only momentarily, as |
he nearness of the shore had reassuring |
fleet. Before the excitement had subsided |
! French Canadian, perfect giant in build, |
md . companion, standing on the shore, |
we're waiting to catch the line thrown from |
be steamer and bend hawsers around the |
rees on the island, and make rope bridge |
lpon which the gangways were thrown out.
The crew Immediately ran for the shore
With their axes and cut passage through
he forest to the shore, where small boats
'ould reach and carry US off in safety. They |
hen felled two large pine trees about 80
eet in length, which were stripped of their
ranches and thrown across the stream from
he shore to the steamer, upon which
ermanent bridge was erected.
Struggles in Small Boats.
..'If our experience ended there, nothing
ut praise could be said of those who came
hronging to the island in their small boats,
hooting the turbulent waters with inimita-
lie skill But 1t became necessary for us
o cross two cnannels Of about half mile in
Tidth before we could reach the mainland
nd traverse the islands. These men then
ivided into two detachments One took US
o one and then landed us, and the other
ook us TO the mainland, notwithstanding
hat the officers of the boat had assured the
oatmen that their every charge would be
ettled by the company"
"Both of these ~detachments took us to
he most dangerous places and then, when
ut of reach Of authority, demanded COM
ensation at the rate of 81 per head. Both
efused to land us until we paid and threat
ned even personal violence. On one occa-
ion there was boat load Of thirty people
trugeling in the stream, and these men
lmped from their boats into the swift cur
ent flowing up to their waists and holding
ne boat demanded that each passenger pay
before they would be put ashore"
The Columbian, which was new steamer,
nd only commenced running few weeks
90, was built in New York, and cost over
zoo, 900. She went from New York to
-ewfoundland with relief for the fire vic
ms, and then came on to Montreal and
arted on the upper st. Lawrence route.
Is feared that she will be total loss, as
will be extremely difficult to get her off
ie rocks at the island, owing to the diff
llty of working in the swift current. Tugs
it'll wrecking apparatus have been sent to
nd aAo ot ho Ia |