The Detroit times., 1909-12-20
81 SAVED FROM
/ death ON BLEAK
ISLAND
Crew Of Steamer Wissahckon-
Which Ran Aground on Duck
Island, Is Rescued by Tug
General-Nearly Frozen.
Seamen Who Were Exposed to Biting
Cold for Week Given Food
By Fishermen.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Dec. e0.--N
ter spending one week on the rocky
promontory Of outer Duck island, dur
ing which time they were at the
mercy of the biting winter blasts that
swept the bleak spot at frequent IN.
tervals. 81 bedraggled. uukempt and
unshaven sailors arrived here on the
tug General yesterday. They were
the crew of the Anchor line steamer
Wissahickon. which went aground a
week ago last night in binding
snowstorm.
When the sturdy little tug was
sighted the whistles OF the car ferries
here screeched an appreciation OF the
rescue of the men, who might have
been frozen 10 death on the bleak,
desolate island. or who. at least might
have been forced 10 observe Christ.
mas day far from home and friends.
AS the rescued seamen left the tug
here. they grasped the hands OF their
rescuers and grumbled their thanks
for having been taken from the island.
When the Wissahckon's nose
lodged itself among the rocks OF Outer
Duck island, which is 81 miles in
Lake Huron, % miles below Detour.
the heavy sea swung the craft around
until its bow was six feet out OF water.
The rock where IL struck was a quar-
Ter OF a mile from Duck island proper.
The marooned men were forced by a
binding snowstorm 10 huddle inside
the cabins. Capt. Miller. 10 keep the
boat from pounding, ordered one hold
filled with water.
During the time that the men were
on the island the music from a phOno-
graph kept them company and helped
20 pass the monotonous hours OF vigil.
All credit goes net TO the crew ofi
the General. Duck Island fishermen
In n tiny but audacious little gasoline
launch, sneaked food 10 the men dur
ing A lull in the wind on Wednesday
and also carried back Mate Casey and
the second engineer. who had volun-
teered TO try To make their way 10
telegraph CT telephone station.
IL was the telephone message of the
two crew members from Fernlee
which came 10 the General as sne
lay mere waiting lOA HANA NN44S - go
December mariners.
Saturday when the General appear
ed upon the horizon the shipwrecked
men were quick to espy her.
ITS one OF the 500 tugs, they
yelled.
A buokmaker couldn't have handled
their money fast enough TO suit them
had there been one there
II was the General, but the lake-go-
ing tug.-nnlike- her river and har0or
sisters, could not approach the Wis
sahickon. Again the tiny gasolene
fisher boat helped out Back and forth
across the choppy sea II puffed and
painted. taking The 30 sailors over III
twos and threes 10 the warm botie-
room OF the General and the care OF
its cooks.
"The fishermen kept Us alive. was
the statement OF the Wissahickon'S
crew.
Capt. Miller. his mates and the en-
eineer and his assistants were order
ed TO Alpena on their arrival. They
refused TO state why. but II is pre-
sumed for the purpose OF accompany
ing an expedition 10 get OF the strand
ed steamer before she pounds 20
pieces, or TO salvage portion Of her
cargo.
I'VE left Detroit on Saturday az
ternoon," said Capt. Miller. who was
unwilling 10 talk Reaching Lake
Huron we ran into heavy snow
and an easterly gale. The snow be-