Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-12
A VESSEL IN BAD SHAPE
Narrow Escape of the Crew and PasSen-
gers of n Big Lake steamer.


Narrow Escape of the Crew and PasSen-
gers of n Big Lake steamer.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. December H.
In binding snow storm and terrific
eastern gale the passenger and freight
steamer f. & P. NJ. No of the Flint
and Pere Marquette line, was driven on
the rocky shore Of White Fish bay at an
early hour this morning exposed to the
full force Of a gale, and is momentarlly
swept by heavy seas and spray. The
steamer left Huntington, Mich, late
yesterday, having crew of fifteen men
and passenger list numbering eighteen
persons The lake was rough during
the passage, but it was not until the
vessel was approaching the Wis
cousin shore that her situation
became alarming. During the night
the gale steadily increased in violence,
and by three O'Clock the storm was I'M
usally severe even for this season. At
about $3.50 when the steamer was with
in Is miles of Milwaukee, she encount-
cred q blizzard. The atmosphere
became dense with snow, which, being
driven by the gale, completely obscured
the north point light Of Milwaukee bay
and that At the Milwaukee pier. In the
storm the steamer was carried of her
course, and in attempting 10 feel her
way into the bay she brought up on the
Rocks of White Fish bay. The scene
of the wreck is about six miles north Of
Milwaukee harbor. At that point the
shore OF the lake makes sweep inland
and forms a wide bay, but 1t is wholly
unprotected from
4 GALE FROM THE EAST.
The bottom of the lake is mass Of
hugh boulders. the shore is steep and
at places a bold bluff rises almost per-
pendicular from the waters edge. For
this reason the efforts st rescue were
attended with great difficulty and dan
ger. AS soon as the steamer struck the
boulders she sounded signals OF distress
and word was telephOned to the city.
The life-saving crew found that 1t
would be impossible TO pull the surf
boat to the scene of the wreck through
the heavy sea and it was deemed equal
lY lulDIdCGitdUld lOl q JUS w GNNOh " "
tow the boat TO White Fish bay. The
surf boat was therefore placed on the
surf cart and the boat was
taken overland to the beach
opposite the spot where the disabled
steamer lay. Great difficulty was ex-
perienced in reaching the beach, and
when the crew finally arrived on the
scene it was found that high seas and
the Kicks and boulders that lined the
bottom of the bay made it impossible to
use the surf boat. Arrangements were
At once made to rig the breaches buoy
ana throw line to the wreck by means
OF q mortar. From the beach the steamer
appeared to be in a very bad position
about 300 or 400 feet from the shore,
and swung broadSide to the seas,
pounding heavily on the rocks and
APPARENTLY FULL OF WATER.
The passengers took refuge in the cabin
and appeared to be in no immediate
danger, but this fact did not deter the
life savers from fastening the work OF
rescue.
The steamer was considered very
strong and seaworthy and especially de-
signed for winter service. The boat
was built in Detroit In 1883, by the De-
troit Dry Dock Company. She was
rated Al, and has been valued at $780,
600. Her cargo consists OF general
merchandise, the value Of which is not
known.
The surf boat was speedily trundled
to the verge OF the ice covered beach
and two score OF Wiling hands forced
the boat into the waves. The crew
pulled against a high gale and Olg seas,
out after a struggle OF fifteen miles the
life saver reached the side OF the vessel.
The passengers and crew remained in
the cabin until the surf boat was close
to the side Of the steamer and then
the crew on shore could see them
assemble around the rail, the men max
ing preparations for leaving the wrecked
steamer. A whip was hastily arranged
on the gaff Of the mainmast and to this
q sling was attached.
A WOMAN WAS SWUNG OVER
the rail and carefully lowered, and she
was soon in the surf boat. Again the
whip was swung, and another woman
was lowered over the side and was
quickly grasped by the hardy surfmen,
Then there was a nasty conference be-
tween the life-savers and the captain
of the steamer. The latter said that
the vessel was in no danger Of breaking
up, and as the gale was moderating it
was decided to wait until later in the
day to complete the rescue. At that
time it was thought the work would be
attended by less difficulty and danger.
The surfmeD experienced considerable
hardship in making landing. As the
boat crushed through the ice and was
hauled on the beach with the women
taken from the steamer, they sprang to
the gunwale OF the boat and thence
onto the snow-covered sand, refusing
all offers Of assistance.
Late this afternoon the rest Of the
passengers on the steamer were brought
ashore on the surf boat. One OF the
steamers life boats brought seven men
ashore. They were two members OF the
\ II.