The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1909-11-17

Arrival.
Rejoicing i'm the good fortune which
enabled them for sixteen long hours
to weather the angry waters of Lake
superior, whipped by a north wind
into a terrific gale and reach Copper
Harbor~safely, the seventeen members
of the crew OF the Inflated steamer
Ottawa Of the Canadian Atlantic
Passage Island at midnight. Sunday.
passed through Calumet today, bound
for their homes. where they will re-
cuperate from their perilous and har-
rowing experience. Pleasure beamed
from their ruddy faces as they reclin-
ed on the comfortable seats of the Ke-
wecnaw Central train. while their
hardy captain related to representa-
tves of the press who had boarded the
train at Calumet Junction, the story
Of the fight for their lives. in a small
open boat.
Members Of the Grow.
The members of the crew are: Cap
tain Alexander Birnie, Mooretown, On
tario; chief engineer. william Paus,
Pcntang, ontario; second engineer,
Joseph Silverthorn, Midland, ontario;
first mate. James Dustan, Toronto,
Ontario; second mate, John w. Moles,
Collingwood, ontario; oiler Louis But
ler Midland, ontario; firemen, Thorn
as Peers. Hamilton, Ontario, and john
Klrkham, North Bay, ontario; wheels
man. VIM. Kitchen, Midland, George
Gallinger, ottawa; watchman, John
Mcllvcrney. Philadelphia; oliver Kel-
ly, Norwood, ontario; stewart, Robert
Samoson, Collingwood; deckhands,
Thomas Brown, Mount st. Patrick.
ontario; John Smith. Toronto, and
George McCullom, Glascoe, Scotland,
and cook. Hans Greenaae, Germany.
Captain Birnie's Story.
According to Captain Rfrnie, the
good ship Ottawa, loaded with 1f5,000
bushels of wheat and some bran, lif.-
ed anchor at Fort William. Sunday
evening. The weather was favorable
and the ship made good headway, on
her journey to Depot Harbor ontario,
the ship struck severe squall sud
denly at about midnight Sunday.
AS the ship plunged into the teeth
of the storm, the shafting which con-
meets the steering gear in the wheel
house, and the steering engine aft,
in, ~
trough of the sea. To add to this trou-
bic the cargo shifted, leaving the boat
IN a prccarious situation, I, sing con-
siderable water. The crev remained
ON the boat until 10 oclo =. Monday
morning, when all hope of saving the
ship was abandoned.
Crew Leaves the Ship.
The life boat was prepared, and
Captain Birnie ordered all hands to
leave the ship. Some difficulty was ex-
perienced in doing this as the boat was
sinking fast, and the men were barely
overheard, when it capsizcd and sank
stern first. Two of the members of
the crew fell into the water on leav-
ing the ship. wheelsman VIM. Kitchen
and cook Hans Greenaao. They were
rescued by their companions.
In small life boat, many miles
from shore, surrounded by heavy sea.
the captain studied the situation. A
north wind prevailed, but the sea seem-
ed to be from the southeast and Cap
tain Birnic decided to try to reach
Conner IInrhnr LOT he
irail craft struck out i'm the teeth of
the gale for this destination. All of
The members of the party were soon
dclugcd With water from the spray,
and their clothes frozen stiff.
Their Efforts Are Rewarded.
Even when the nighttime fell upon
them they did not falter and continued
The struggle for their lives. At about
o'clock yesterday morning their ef-
iorts were rewarded by sighting Cop
per Harbor, which was reached soon
after. Just as the men alighted from
the boat heavy snow storm set in,
which would have made their position
IN the open boat in the lake still more
hazardous had their journey not ended
when IL did.
Long exposure to the cold and water
caused the mems feet and limbs to
SVEN so that they could not walk when
they reached shore. and frost bites
We're numerous. The experience prov
eu serious one for Captain Birnie,
VINO was confined to the bed at Copper
-
the men were scantily clad when they
left the boat and their escape was
miraculous.
Men Promptly Cared For.
Al Copper Harbor, Fred and Pete