The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-04
PICNIC PARTY SCARED.
Steamer Flora Clark Has 81 Thrilling
River Voyage.

Nearly 500 passengers on the excur-
SION steamer Flora Clark had an
exciting experience on the river during
the severe storm which passed over
the city at half past o'clock. Ire
steamer and barge were bliwn against
the shore, and while the wind spent
its fury, amid lightning flashes and
deafening thunder peals, flashing the
waves about the boat, women tainted
and screaming children chung closely
to pale faced parents. At the height
of the storm the barge was partly
torn away from the boat adding to
the terror of the frightened passen-
gers. Little short of panic prevailed,
but in reality, however, there was lit
tie danger, as Capt E. E. Brown had
been hugging the shore as the storm
approached and tied UP to the bank
to quiet the fears of the passengers as
sCon as the first manifestation of
alarm appeared, and the eXcursionists
disembarked at the foot of Jackson
street without injury to any one be-
You'd the fright.
The excursion party was from Min
neapolis, and composed of members Of
st. Stephens Catholic parish, Of that
city, together with about 100 people
who joined the party at ST. Paul on
the trip down the river yesterday
morning. Most of the party were
creased the CONSERVATION during the
storm. The party, starting from Min
nehaha Falls, had been to Lake st.
CroiX. The extreme heat of the day
aroused Capt. Browns misgivings and
he expected a blow during the return
trip. TO be ready for sudden emer-
gency, he ran the boat close to the
shore at dusk and continued up the
river close to the bank. The warning
electric flashes and heavy thunder be-
fore the heavy wind struck the boat,
caused Capt. Brown to crowd on
steam to make the perpendicular bank
at the government light below the fish
hatchery before the storm should
break. Scarcely had the steamer gain
ed the point sought when the terrific
Wlnd struck boat and barge broadside.
sendlng both against the bank with a
grinding crunching sound which threw
the passengers into the greatest CON
fusion. e0-A
Capt. Brown, with the assistance of
the men on board, did his best to
calm the fears of the passengers bv
assuring them of the absence of dan
ker, while the crew of the steamer
Jumped ashore with lines to make the
BOAT fast This accomplished, the pas
sengeTs became more quiet but the
Jury OF the storm, which approa ched
tIiett oi cyclone, along the river bot
apprehension.
Rain swept the decks of the barge and
steamer, drenching those who could
not crowd into the cabin, while the
roar OF the storm and splashing waves
the grinding Of the boat on the. shore
and the binding lightning. accompa
MED by crashing thunder, made the sit
uation one of terror for the timid pas-
sengers. With the storm at its III
most severity, the ropes which secured
one end of the barge to the steamer
parted. This allowed the barge more
play, and it rocked badly, though made
FAST to the shore. Throughout the ex-
cltement Capt. Brown was everywhere
among the Passengers, calming their
Iears and pointing out that the storm
Woulu soon pass. The fiercest raging
OF the elements lasted less than fifteen
minutes, and when the. wind. -ha Il
ceased the broken fastenings -of tho
barge were repaired, and the Flora
Clark. with her passengers, continued
to the foot of Jocksen% street. The. still
threatening weather and the experi-
ence through which the Passengers had
passed left no desire to complete the
trip to, Minnehaha Falls. and the ex-
cursionists returned to Minneapolis on
the interurban line, leaving their lunch
baskets and hammocks to be carried
home today.