The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-03-14
Insurance Companies and
Owners Of Boat to Decide
on Course Today.
HEAVY LOSSES SEEM CERTAIN
Jill Company However, Says Shippers
Will Not Lose Cent by Lake Dis
aster Monday Stories of Wreclirlg
Of Boat Told by Members of Grew.

The steamer Flora M. Hill Of the
Chicago Kenosha line has settled in
forty feet Of water near the two mile
crib in Chicago and while it now ap-
pears that the steamer will be almost
a complete loss it is declared by the
officers of the Hill Steamboat Company
that the boat will be raised. 1t is not
known whether the company will raise
the boat or if it win be turned over
10 the insurance companies to take
care of it, but just as soon as the ice
clears away and the tugs can get at
the wrecked vessel the company and
The companies holding the insurance on
the vessel will take up the matter
u. u. Hill, secretary, treasurer and
general manager Of the company, when
seen today, said: "There is one thing
certain and that is that not single
shipper will lose cent as result of
the sinking Of the boat. We do not
know whether the insurance we carried
will cover all lthe loss or not, but we
10 know that it will cover the loss on
the cargo and If it didn t we would be
willing to work the rest OF OUT lives
to insure the shippers against loss.
The insurance was all handled by Cap
tain Hill and we now feel certain that
the company will have heavy loss on
the boat, but it is just as certain thai
The caTgo'is all covered, rs
Captain Hill came to Kenosha this
afternoon ready to take out the steam
ar City of Marquette on the run. The
fire was started in the boilers Of the
Marquette on Monday afternoon and
she was under steam long before the
Hill had been abandoned to her fate.
The Marquette had been laid up for
the winter west of the Main street
bridge and the city held her from get
ting ready for trip Monday after
noon. Captain Hill served notice on
the city to open the Main street bridge
Mon day afternoon in order that the
Marquette might be towed down to the
docks of the company and be in readi-
ness to get out of the harbor just as
soon as the ice would permit, but the
city failed to get the bridge open.
Men are at work on the bridge today
and the Marquette will probably get
out of her winter quarters and up to
her docks some time today. She will
90 on the run just as soon as the ice
in the lake will make it possible.
Kenosha people have expressed lot
Of sympathy for the company in the
loss of the Hill and it is certain that
the managers of the line will be given
every possible consideration by the
shippers in getting the line in opera
ton again. One thing seems certain
and that is that it will take more than
the sinking of steamer to put the
Hill company out Of business and the
nerve shown by the officials of the com
pany in taking their big loss and pro-
viding for continuing service has at
tracted lot of favorable comment.
The story of the sinking of the Hill
was one of the most interesting stories
ever furnished by old Lake Michigan.
1t was ice, ice-all the way said
one of the crew. "And we had fight
for every knot We made. "
After midnight point of the crib
was made. With a jar the frozen hills
of the lake, blocked the ship. Capt.
Hill, surrounded by his officers, was oil
the bridge. Twice they backed AMI
then ran ahead in an attempt to force
channel. Then the ice field closed up.
The Flora M. Hill thrashed about,
lighting for the water space that was
as air to human. The ice steadily,
relentlessly closed in.
Finally the mass of ice, as high as
the portfolios, took its grip at the
ships throat. The propeller made no
Roadway. There came grinding,
splintering crash from the stern.
We're stove in!' white faced
seaman rushed up the bridge ladder
and reported.
AS he spoke there came another
crash. The port side had felt the
clutch of the lake ice.
"Water pouring in, captain" said
another sailor rushing up on the
bridge.
"Man the pumps'' commanded the
captain.
Then ensued battle with death
1T was mostly fight in the dark.