The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-09-01
PANIC ON A STEAMER.
The Northwest Strikes Bar in
Lake Erie.
Many OF Her Passengers Are Injured by
the shock and Confusion which fol-
lows - Accident Duo To
Pail of smoke.
Mo STEAMER ASHORE.


the Great Northern railroad line,
stranded at Bar point light on Lake
Erie, about miles from the mouth Of
the Detroit Ever, at o'clock Wednes-
day afternoon. Dense smoke from
forest fires lay on the surface OF the
water. completely obscuring the light
ship maintained by the government at
that dangerous point rhe steamer
ran out 20 feet forward. and as she
draws but "A feet Of water astern her
bow is practically lifted in the air by
the tremendous shock of her stranding.
The Northwest left Buffalo Tuesday
night bound for Duluth with about 100
passengers many of whom were going
To the far west ON the Great Northern
line. She stopped AT Cleveland Tues
day night and then started across the
lower end Of Lake Erie for the Detroit
river. The smoke, which had been
very heavy on Lake Erie for several
days, became even more Opaque
during the afternoon when the
brisk northeast winds blew new
clouds from the burning Canadian
forests The steamer made her way
all right past the narrow channels
near the dummy light, and then swung
in to pass Bar point. The passengers
were all on deck, gazing through the
smoke TO catch the first glimpse of
land on this side Of the lake, when
suddenly the steamer struck on the
bar, 800 feet west Of the channel. The
boat was going at a tremendous pace
and the momentum forced her far
back on the bank
The shock felt on board was terrific.
When the great hull Of the steamer
was brought toa dead stop in an instant
all the movable objects on her decks
including the pcoplc-which had been
carried along at nearly 20 miles an
hour-Nept their momentum and were
all thrown heavily 20 the deck. Tables,
chairs. camp stools and people were
all thrown i'm one indiscriminate mass
on the decks. People in the cabins
were dashed against the bulkheads
with terrific force, and not few were
dazed and stunned by the heavy blows
they sustained.
In that scene OF confusion the cry
arose that the steamer had struck a
rock and was sinking. Instantly panic
rcigned supreme People who were
able 90 rise TO their feet ran hurriedly
around the steamer crying and beg
cling the crew 10 lower the Hfeboats.
IL was with difficulty that several
were restrained from leaping over the
side. The officers in vain tried to
quiet the mob, and il was only when
the steamer was seen Go remain above
the surface that the more calm and
collected helped 10 restore order The
decks were crowded with women, who
were wildly hyaterical one moment
and the next in dead faint
A hurried examination showed that
the steamer rested on the bar for near
~ her whole length. only her stern
was in the water The bow reared
high i'm the air above the water and
near the spot where the surf showed
the shoalest spots on the topof the bar,
The greatest damage had been
wrought in the cabin by the shock.
Articles of furniture were sent rush
ing forward, and the floor was strewn
with broken pieces. Articles ia the
statcrooms had been dashed about and
broken. Many persons had been bad
ly hurt by being thrown TO the deck.
Word was immediately sent here Of the
Northwests plight and the tugs Home
Rule and Wales started Immediately
Go her assistance.
The place where the ST Gamer is
ashore is mainly sand, although there
are many powders i'm il. The North
west is insured largely in London
Lluyds, although Buffalo agency has
"a small policy II is thought that the
insurance rs about $500, O00
The Northwest is the largest boat
ON the lakes and cost more than twice
as much as any other now ailoot on fresh
water. She was built at Cleveland by
the Great Northern railway rs the con-
Meeting link in its transcontincntal
line between its eastern ter
minus at Duluth and It's New
York connections az Buffalo A
sister boat, TO be known as the North
Land. is now under construction at
Cleveland, and both boats will be in
service next season. Their total cost
exceeds 81 100000. The Northwest not
only cost twice Us much as any other
lake boat but She has twice as much
power Her two quadruple engines,
built after the pattern ~ THOSE which
have made the new cruisers i'm
the navy the fastest boats in the
world, drove tho big steamer at 20
miles an hour in open water. The
Northwest is in command OF Capt. w.
A. Campuu, who has served in the
Northern line steamers ever since its
first boat was launched. lleis consid-
cred careful navigator, although he
has been la bad luck with the North
west, having had number ~ minor
but costly mishaps before this.
killed Ills Mother.
PnuAprtrmA, Aug 30. "A brutal
murder occurred in this city Tuesday.
Itwns that ~ Pcnorc Foley. aged o.
years. of 20i5 south street, who was
killed by her worthless son. who had
been drinking.