Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-22


feet a man made dying leap from
the deck into the loaded boat and
again almost uspet it. This man
posed In an interview in the papers
as one Of the last to leave the ship.
Launching Is Slow.
The process of getting the boats
j launched was one of maddening slow
ness and confusion. There was no
order, no discipline, and no one
seemed to know where he belonged.
The men passengers worked at the
wet kno.ted ropes in the rain and ut
ter darkness, and as fast as boats
/ were ready they were filled by those
most forward in pushing their y y in.
Many of the boats came back after
time, and took other loads to STORE.
The ship was listing more and more.
The main deck forward was and long
had been covered by three to four
| feet of water. There were few left on
board, and / supposed all Of our party
w"re on shore or in lifeboats. went
| for an armful of blankets, entering
/ three or four staterooms on the upper
deck, starboard side. Then came
forward and went down the compan-
ion way toward the main deck. A
sailor called TO me to hurry and jump
| in, then swore at me for trying to
take my baggage ashore. threw
the blankets in and stepped OFF the
railing INTO the boat Hardly had
done so than the ship settled into the
water.
Fearful of being involved in wreck
age or of being sucked in, our oars
men were inclined to pull for shore,
and, indeed, were urged by some to
do so. 1t happened that l had an
electric hashlight in my pocket, with
which ! Immediately lighted up the
v -eckage-strewn surface of the water
around our boat. 1t seemea ic be
alive with men trying to climb up on
| TOP or boxes or crates or to swim
through the debris. l pointed out
these men; and my light showed them
their surroundings and the location or
their boat. Several were pulled into
our boat, among others my own
brother, Of whom | had lost track ana
who | supposed was on land. After
reseuing all visible in the water near
us. we went ashore, and my light
was at once taken by one of the crew
whom | showed how to work it, back
10 the vessel, where two or three
more were found.
still the rain fell steadily. We
struck on Sarah island about 1:05
a. m. and ran aground about 2:15.
BY a. NJ. there were several fires go
ing, fed by kerosene, which floated
ashore in tins, and by the wood from
wreckage. We were on the rocks
under huge trees, in the dark rain;
and 1t will always finger in memory
So n haven of safety.
Upon searching for the members
of cur party, found that three OF
them Cunningham, Booth and my
brother-had been on the ship when
1t sunk, and were forced to SWIM
being pulled into boats or towed
ashore. They were wet and chilled
to the bone. Fortunately | had a
flask of brandy and gave each of
them a dose.
Rain is tncessant.
The time until dawn was dreary.
Inc oniy place to sit was on our
life-preservers, and the rain was in
terminable. When we could see the
second officer took crew of men in
boat to Swansons bay about twelve
miles. There he found the King
fisher a halibut fishing boat of the
New England Fish company. They
came at once to Carter bay, arriving
at 9:O5. Meanwhile all the women
and most of the men had been ferried
to the head of the bay and installed
in cabin which was built years ago
by some hunter or prospector. Here
they had some shelter and were able
to dry their clothes by a fire.
After daylight the body of Eccles
noated ashore supported in lifebelt
He had, been up on the deck aft with
Boob and others. trying in vain to
loosen a life raft, and had evidently
struck his head and been stunned
when he plunged into the water.
Four others are missing.
Wreck is Reported.
BY noon we reached Swanson's
bay Before landing we met the New
England Of the same company going
nor,h for fish We told her captain
by hail.ng of the wreck and told him
all were taken off. He went on and
we landed. At Swanson's is sawmin
and sulphite plant The people were
most hospitable. We had had drink
ol hot coffee and lunch on the King
Usher; and now at p m, had an
o.her The women were cared for in
the houses OF the camp and the men
We're allowed to sleep in the bunk
house and on the floors.
a boat was stationed in the track
OF passing vessels, and at II p. m. the
Humboldt was hailed and sent in to
Swanson's. This was twenty-three
hours after we struck. ] was on the.
pier before she landed. The captain
asked what was the trouble and was
told. II was the first he had heard.
ven on board and sent a 'ressag'
to be forwarded from KetchiFar,, an
nauucing our safety. The operator
,,,., ,.a.