The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-07-17
Unnecessary Anxiety Over the
Talula Excursionists.
STRANDED ON SAND BARS.
SOME AGREEABLE AND A FEW EX-
CITING INCIDENTS.
How Sunday Night Was Passed BY
the VOyagers-The Trip Extended
Clear Around Antelope Island-A
Big Gale Yesterday Afternoon
All Home Again.

Between 10 and Ii o'clock last night,
a crowd of weary voyagers returned to
Saltair after a. long cruise on the
Great Salt lake 1t was a trip in
which many delightful experiences,
some unpleasant incidents and not a
few exciting episodes were interviewer.
The party left Saltair at noon on
Sunday in the gallant little steamer,
Talula, equipped for a trip Of six or
seven hours. The excursionists were
Colonel Henry Page, Dewey Richards
and wife, Mrs. Belcher and son, Robert
Wallace, George Brastow, H. N. Mayo,
of st. Louis, Edwin Brooks, Louis Sells,
Civil Engineer Petersen and E. G. "
ms, together with the regular engineer
and pilot, making fourteen souls in all.
The steamer was run UP the west
side of Antelope island, and the points
of, interest. Frisco bay, Elephant
head and White rock were greatly ad-
mired. 1t was the intention of those
in charge to turn back after reaching
the exit enc north end of the island,
but the day was so fine and the trip
had been so enjoyable that it was de-
cided to continue it and make the cir
cult of the island. So after dinner the
steamer was anchored in front of Mr..
Davis place while the casks were TAX
| en- ashore and new supply of water
obtained. The cruise was then contin-
ued and the end of the island reached.
| 1t was believed that the trip down the
! east side could be made and Saltair
reached in time to take an
early train home Sunday even
ing, but in this the voyagers
aII inf olaY1f
The trip was continued without any
unpleasant incident until the steamer
was about mile and a half north of
Mr.. Dooly's ranch and the same dis
lance from the shore. Here sandbars
were encountered and after pulling
over some small ones, the boat finally
struck one that held her fast. While
efforts were being made to get her off.
the skies suddenly darkened and a ter
riflc gale swept over the lake. The sea
soon became rough, and the big waves
thumped against the Talula but failed
TO move her from the bar The situa-
ton was such that at dark, hope of
proceeding at once was abandoned, and
the eXcursionists abandoned themselves
to their fate. The ladies retired to the
cabin, and after everything movable
had been made secure, the men went
up on the upper deck. The gale in
creased in fury, but there was no ap-
IPACAAC4lolOli VI QduSGI, dS all knew I0dJ
the craft would stand it all right and
be none the worse for it. Along towards
midnight, the men stretched themselves
out on benches and camp chairs placed
in row and tried to Sleep but the
conditions were not at all favorable for
this and the night was passed by them
IN lying on the deck until they were
chilled and then going into the engine
room to thaw out.
In the morning further efforts were
made to move the craft, but they
proved unavailing. At sun up, however
however, the cattle boat from the
Dooly ranch, with Mr. Walker in
charge, sailed out to the stranded pleas
u'e seekers, who were transferred to that
BOAT and conveyed to the land This
trip was a slow one, as the wind
had entirely died out and the boat had
to be pooled" in. Arriving at the farm
mouse, the voyagers found a substantial
breakfast awaiting them and after
ample justice had been done to this. the
work of filling up the water casks was
| begun. The men formed a bucket brig
ade, and when the casks were filled,
they were loaded into the cattle boat
and conveyed to the steamer Arriving
there. the fires were lighted and with
the aid of the other boat the steamer
was again f1oated and run into the
channel. At 4 yesterday afternoon the
v
Page at the wheel and Mr.. Walker
sounding. In spite of all precautions
the steamer soon ran upon another
sand bar. and while everything posi-
bic was being done to get her off, an
other wind storm came up. If the one
of the night before was gale, this was
hurricane, and the whitecaps soon
commenced rolling in.
All on board felt just as safe as they
would in their homes, but the chances
of speedily getting to the latter were
so uncertain that everyone became
nervous. 1t seemed to dawn upon
them all at once that their friends and
relatives would not be able to account
for their absence. AS the time went by
and the steamer still stuck on the bar,
their nervousness bordered upon des-
Deration and was increased when a
sailing boat was seen making her way
through the hurricane from Saltair
towards the steamer. The wind was
too much for the craft, however. and
when near the steamer she dropped an
chor and took in the sails. The TaIulu
was gradually working ahead, and fin
ally cleared the bar altogether, and
made for the sailing boat which was
manned by Captain Franer, who had
come out with provisions for the ex-
Icursionists and to ascertain the stu
alton. The supplies were placed on
the steamer and Captain Wilkes fol-
lowed. Mr.. WINS decided to
return with her in order to
get word at once to friends
of the party that everything
was all right. The wind was so vio-
lent, however, that it was an hour be-
fore Captain F'raner dared to spread
canvass, and then he only set the jib.
With this flying, the boat was headed
for Saltair, and riding the immense
waves like a cork, sped through the
water. With a, less competent seaman
than Captain Franer, the trip would
have been extremely perllous, but he
managed her splendidly and landed
just an hour before the Talula came
into port. At Saltair several relatives
of the eXcursionists were waiting for
tidings, and of course were relieved to
learn that there was not and had not
been the slightest fear for alarm.
The Talula struck still another sand
bar before clearing the point, but on
reaching deep water came in flying,
with all on board who started save
Mrs. Belcher and her son. They were
to have boarded the steamer at the
point, having gore down from the
rolling SO high that the lady concluded
to remain on the island until today,
when a boat will be sent for her.
So ended an eventful but pleasant
voyage of the Talula.
Marlin Spikes.
The voyagers expect TO have a reuni-
on as soon as they lose their sea legs.
If the excursionists had dreamed that
their delay had caused so much anxi-
ETY. among their friends, they would
have reached home on the first train
yesterday if they had been compelled
-