The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-24
STRIKE IN A FOG.
Two Steamers Collide in Thun-
der Bay, Lake Huron.
One of Them Sinks in AZ Faith
Oms Of Water.
SEVENTEEN PERISH.
The Other Vessel Makes Port in
Bad Condition.
After Rescuing Seven OF the
Lost Vessels Crew.
SEVENTEEN PERISH

Port Huron, Mich, May A-Seven-
teen are supposed to be dead as re-
suit of a collision of two big steel
freight steamers on Lake Huron north
of Point Aux Barques in dense fog
Monday morning News of the collision
reached here today.
The steamer Frank H. Goodyear of
Cleveland was sunk in Al fathoms OF
water. The steamer James B. Wood OF
Cleveland, which struck the Goodyear
bow on came into Port Huron harbor
today with a big hole in her bow car
rying half a dozen survivors from the
Gcodyear The latter carried crew
of % men and several passengers.
Captain F. r. Heminger of Algonac,
Mich, who comm lnded the Goodyear,
Chief Engineer Gibson Steward, David
Bassett one wheelSman and two pas
sengers Mrs. Thomas H. Bassett and
her daughter of Marine City, Mich,
were saved and brought to Port Huron
on the steamer Wood.
The only hope of the survival of the
others who were on board the Goodyear
hes in the possibility of their having
been rescued by the steamer Sir Will
lam Siemens, which was near the scene
oe the wreck and is due at Detour and
Sault Ste. Marie to1ay.
The Goodyear was struck amidships
on the starboard side, while the bow
of the Wood was punctured.
In a moment it was seen that the
Goodyear was doomed, as she began
rapidly to fill with water. Every one
on board was supplied with life pre-
server and every effort made to man
and launch the small boats. But the
water p Jured into the hold so fast that
the heavy matches were forced from
their frames by the pressure from un-
derneath and shot into the air in every
direction and the falling matches spread
injury and death among the terrified
crew and passengers.
With his infant child in his arms.
Steward Bassett had almost reached
safety in one of the life boats, when
one of the tumbling matches snatched
the baby from his arms. The little one
fell into the lake and was drowned de-
spite the frantic efforts of its father 20
rescue it.
When the Goodyear settled beneath
the surface of the water it was evident
she was practically broken in two, the
action Of the water having completed
the destruction begun by the blow re-
ceived during the collision.
Carried a Crew of Twenty-Three.
Cleveland, May 24.-According to the
information received by the Gilchrist
Transportation company here, owners
of the James 3. Wood, the steamer
sunk was the Frank H. Goodyear, own
ed by Captain John Mitchell, also of
this city. She carried a crew of % men
in charge of Captain F. r. Hemenger,
of Algonaca. Mich.
Captain Mitchell received word from
Captain Hemenger by telephone this
morning. He reported that the two
boats collided in the fog, 27 miles
south of Thunder bay, at O'Clock
last night, and that the Goodyear sank
in AZ fathoms of water.
The Frank H. Goodyear was a mod
ern steel steamer and was 436 feet
long.
six members of the crew of the
Goodyear, including Captain Hemen-
ger, were rescued by the steamer
Wood and taken to Port Huron, ac-
cording to word received at the Gill
christ offices. AS the Goodyear is said
to have had % men aboard, the num-
Der thought to have been drowned is
seventeen.
No Survivors Reported.
Sault Ste Marie, Mich. May 24.-The
steamer Siemans passed Decatur this
morning and did not report any survi-
Vors of the wrecked steamer Goodyear