Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-04
THREE ESSELSLOST
ON GREAT LAKES
CREWS OF UNFORTUNATE YES.
Sells ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE
LOST THEIR LIVES IN FURI-
Gus STORM.

DETROIT. Mich. May Three ves-
sells lost, one of them with her crew OF
seven men, and a fourth craft found
floating deserted on lake Michigan with
the fate of her crew unknown, Is the
days summary of disaster from storm
and ice on the great lakes.
On the bleak shores of Huron island
last night the schooner George Nester'
of Detroit, was torn to pieces by the
furious gale. and all Of her crew OF
seven were lost.
On lake Huron the freighter Russia
of Port Huron, succumbed to the waves
after her cargo had shifted, and went to
the bottom. The Russia's crew. Of TWEEN
ty-tow men, however, escaped in small
boats.
On lake Michigan. the Ann Arbor Rail-
way car ferry No. 1, picked up, is miles
south of Fox island, the big steel light
er Batavia, deserted by her crew, and
with no positive evidence as to whether
they persisted sor were taken on the
lighter by the steamer which is believ-
ed to have been towing her.
To these fresh stories of marine dis
aster was added from Sault Ste Marie
with the arrival there Of the crew of the
steamer Aurania, the first story of how
she was crushed by the ice and sank.
and how the members of the crew made
| perilous way over nearly four miles OF
J ice foes to the steamer ]. II. Barlow.
Death and Disaster
Few days in the history of navigation
on the inland lakes have brought such
tales of death and disaster. Bound up
Lake Superior behind the steamer
! Schoolcraft, the schooner George N9s-
| ter met the full force of the terrific
| gale on Huron island the tow line
was broken and the hester went on the
| rocks.
The furious waves made 1t impossible
i to launch small boats from either the
| Sehoolcraft or the lighthouse tender Mar
| igold, which was close behind, to go
/ to the rescue of the seven men aboard
| the schooner.
The Nester went to pieces rapidlys and
every member of the crew was lost The
Marigold made unsuccessful efforts to
| take the imperilled men of the wreck
with life lines.
The Russia was bound for Duluth on
her first trip OF the season with full
cargo of freight. Twelve miles off De-
tour the Russia's cargo shifted. Part of
the deckload of cement was jettisoned
over the side, but shortly afterward the
cargo again shifted and the steamer be-
gan to ILL., Captain John Mclean, OF
| Port Huron, and his crew of twenty-five
II
raging sea and succeeded in saving their
I lives. They arrived at Detour~today.-
Marine Mystery
1t is a strange story Of marine mystery
which the big Ann Arbor car ferry
brought into port with her today when
she arrived towing behind her the big
steel lighter Batavia. which was built in
1904 for the Lehigh Valley Transportation
company. The car ferry found the light
| er tossing on the waves south of Fox ISL
land with no crew aboard. In the dining
room was evidence that there had been
crew.
Table Set for Dinner
| The dining room table was set as for
dinner. Nothing but the severed hawser
indicated a possible solution Of the crew
whereabouts. Marine men think the evil
dence which the hawser bore of being
cut may mean that the tug or steamer
which had the lighter in tow found il
necessary in the gale to cast her loose.
and, II so. probably took of the crew
before leaving the steel hulk at the mercy
of the storm. Lighters of this style
usually carry. marine men say crews OF
four to ten men.
Safe and sound after the loss of their
ship in the ice. the crew Of the Corrigan
steamer Aurania came into the 500
aboard the j. II. Barlow and told a
thrilling story of their experiences
Caught fast in a great ice foe in White
Fish bay. they could only watch the re-
lentless force bear harder and harder
against the sides of their. ship until they
were crushed and the water poured in.
When ii was evident that she was doomed
to sink. they left the Aurania and took
to the ice. Carrying with them one small
yawl boat. with which to ferry Them
selves over the patches Of open water in
the foe, the men. headed by Captain
Robert c. Pringle, made a perilous way
over to the steamer Barlow. also held
so fast in the ice four miles away that she
could not go TO the Aurania's assistance.
All arrived uninjured and were cared for
aboard the Barlow.