Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-12-07
MANY VESSELS STILL MISSING.

MANY VESSELS STILL MISSING.
Further Reports Tell Of the Awful
Havoc of Storm on the Lakes.
Duluth, Dec. 2.-Reports continue to
come in Of disaster to shipping and
loss of life by the terrible storm on
the upper lakes Monday and Tuesday.
AS far as known at least fifteen lives
have been lost and more than twenty
steamers and other craft base been
wrecked. The total loss to shipping
will probably be at least $2,00Q,000.
Many vessels are still missing, and it
is feared that later reports will great
ly add to the awful havoc caused by
the elements.
TWO Dashed on the Rocks.
Dashed on the rocks forty miles
north of Two Harbors. the steel steam.
er George Spencer and her consort,
the Amboy, of the Tonawanda Steel
company line, are wrecks. Thomas
vile, fishing village, was the scene
of the disaster, and because Of the
bravery OF the fishermen, the lives of
the crew were saved. The vessels
we're bound for Duluth, loaded with
coal. They left Buffalo Nov. 16, and
were about 100 miles from Two Har-
bors when the storm struck them at
dark Monday night. AT / o'clock Tues
day morning they ran on the rocks
and for thirteen hours the situation of
the crew on the battered hulks was
desperate.
mot man of us would have es-
capped said Capt. Frank Conlin of the
George Spencer last night, but for
the bravery and ability of the fisher
men at Thomasville, aided by some of
the lumbermen from nearby logging
camp.
All Saved but One.
The barge MADEIRA, which has been
missing on Lake Superior since she
broke away from the steamer Eden
born, is ashore at Split Rock, on the
north shore, three miles from the
wreck of the Edenborn. All the mem.
bers Of the crew except Mate James
Marrow, who last his life, arrived here
yesterday.
Three Lost Their Lives.
Three men lost their lives on the
scow George Herbert, which ran
cshore at Two Islands, about seventy
miles from Two Harbors. The news
of the accident was brought here last
night by the crew of the wrecked
steamer George Spencer. Two mem.
bers of the crew of the Herbert sue
ceeded in saving themselves.
Nine Lost on Mataafa.
Early Wednesday morning efforts to
rescue the imperilled sailors on the
Mataafa we're renewed. After a des-
perate battle with the elements the
life saving crew succeeded in rescuing
fifteen mel. Nine of the crew lost
their lives after suffering untold tor.
ture.
Night Fearful One.
The night on the Mataafa was a
fearful one to the living men, to say
nothing of the horrible torture that
must have fallen to the lot of those
who died. Tucked III warm beds in
hotels, members OF the crew tell of
what they underwent. Charles Byrne
Henry Saunders and Herbert Emigh
made the trip in the afternoon from
the rear of the boat forward across the
slippery deck, over which great waves
,,<11 r1 J,soI {~
i, -Four tried it, fireman being the
fourth but he failed and retraced his
steps, and is no Numbered among the
lost This fireman was three times
Washed Over the Side,
but held his grip on the rope railing
and climbed back. only to he defeated
in the end. The three that made the
trip and that owe their lives to their
courage, would rush forward with each
wave and then throw themselves or
the deck and hang on as another roller
came
The poor fellows on the stern end OF
the boat had little protection. In the
lee Of the engine house they could FIND
llO SuSIISl, lOI LIlG waves covered CnG
deck to the height of the rail. They
finally climbed up under the shelter
| of the big smokestack, but, wet as
they were and
With the Biting Frost,
they could not long stand the exposure
| and we're last seen slipping down The
| ventilators, apparently to find prctec
ton, but in all probability going to {
death by drowning.
The fifteen men forward first tool
| shelter in the wheelmens' cabin, but
| the water soon drove them out anG
| they then went to the captains cabin
The waves drove in the windows
| and doors and all night long they
danced about in the little cabin try
!, ing to keep warm. Their danger from
the elements outside was passed, bu
/ the fight against the cold was bittel
one.
|