The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1905-09-06

Bayfield,, Wis, Sept. 5.-Eleven OF
the crew of the steel steamer Sevona
were drowned by the wreck Of the
steamer on Sand Island reef on Lake
Superior, late Friday night. Eleven
others were rescued, including the re-
mainder Of the crew and four women.
The story Of the disaster Is a thrilling
tale.
Seven of the dead offered their lives
as a sacrifice for the rest of the 20 on
board the ill-fated ship. OF those for
whom they gave their lives four are
dead. The rest reached shore after
night of buffeting by the waves In an
open boat, and trip of more than "a
hours cutting a road through the will
derness of Northern Wisconsin.
Those who gave their lives for their
shipmates were
Captain e. S. Mcdonald, Northeast,
Pa; First Mate Louis Darwin, Me-
dina, o.; second mate, name unknown,
shipped at Cleveland last trip.
Wheelman, name unknown, shipped
at Cleveland on last trip.
Two watchmen, names unknown,
shipped at Cleveland on last trip.
Wheelman, name unknown, has
brother named Denny at Buffalo dry
dock, shipped at Cleveland.
Those who were probably drowned
In the effort to reach shore were:
Fireman, name unknown, shipped at
Cleveland on Aug. 23.
- Van Week, oiler, Erie, Pa.
Oiler, name unknown, shipped at
Cleveland on last trip.
Deckhand, name unknown, from
Northeast, Pa.
The Sevona, big 1O-hatch vessel,
was bound from Allouez to Erie with
ore. Four women were on board, In.
Guiding the wife Of the cook, G. H.
Cluky. The others were aboard as
guests Of the owners, and were Mrs.
S. F. Spencer and Miss Jones of Erie,
and Mrs. William Phillips of Buffalo.
Friday the steamer ran into the teeth
Of the Northwestern, which is still blow
ing a terrific gale. Captain Mcdonald
tried to make headway against the
heavy sea, but the storm became too
heavy and he turned and ran for
shelter.
Volunteered to Stay on Ship.
Sand Island is in the center of
patch of dangerous reefs. A mile and
a half east of the light on the island is
the Sand Island reef. The storm was
so severe that the lookout did not see
the Raspberry Island light. When
the Sand Island lighthouse was sighted,
1t was too late. Captain Mcdonald
tried to put about but the storm swept
his vessel on the reefs with fury not
to be resisted. A great hole was torn
In the bow and In half an hour the
pounding Of the waves had hammered
the stout ship in two. When the shock
came the captain found that there
was no chance for all to try and reach
shore and called for volunteers to stay
on the ship. More than half the crew
volunteered to stay aboard; the rest
tried to reach shore and call for help
for those who were to remain on the
wreck. Finally the captain, the two
mates and four others were selected
to risk their lives for the safety of the
rest.
Engineer Phillips was one Of the
volunteers but Captain Mcdonald re-
fused to allow him to remain on board,
ordering him to take command of the
ships boat which was to take the wo-
men ashore, With Phillips went Adam
Fiden, Nicholas Fiden, c. H. Glucky,
two f1remen and one deckhand, all Of
Buffalo.
The storm had battered the third
boat to pieces, but small boat large
enough to carry four took another
party. The boat with the women tried
to make Sand island but was swept
past. Nothing could be done except
to keep the craft afloat. When the
boats left the Sevona, the seven left
aboard were huddled in the wheel
house waiting for the rescue that was
to come too late.
Trip Ashore Of the Llfeboat
The trip ashore Of the lifeboat was
one Of terror All night the men
fought with the elements In the effor:
to reach shore, which was only FIVE
miles away, but the wind was carrying
the craft parallel with the beach and
It was daylight before the boat was
washed up high on shore. So weariei
were the men from their exertion5
that they were nearly swept back into
the deep water by the surf.
During the night while the men
we're alternately despairing and hope
full. At times they would pray for
their lives, the men joining, and at
other times they would help the sail
ors bailing the small craft of the spray
which came aboard constantly.
Saturday morning the storm-tossei
party was washed ashore at Little
Sandy bay. Here they found home
steader, who led them to two farms
two miles IN the interior. The men
were 30 exhausted they could hardly
walk.
While the rest Of the party was
cared for at the farmhouse the engi
neer and one of the farmers, Mr. Thib-
adeauu, set out with a team for Bay