The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-10-15
NARROW ESCAPE
OF YOUNG men
Houghton Youths and Two Others
Nearly Drowned

Ernest Won Zellen. a young mar
named Gauthier and Bunny" Need
ham, Of Houghton, were placed in
peril Of their lives Friday night when
the Won Zellen launch Triton in
which they were going to the copper
country, was wrecked on the rocks
near Zig BAY, says the Mining Journal.
While more or less battered, they arc
thankful they are alive.
TIE launch left Marquette in the
early evening. bound for skanee, where
"a loat Of apples from the Won zelleE
farm was t. be taken on and conveyed
to H0ughton. When the party did not
arrive in Skanee at the scheduled time
friends of the family sent word to have
the shore searched, thinking that the
storm which came up suddenly at
about 10 o'clock At night might have
caused them some mishap. The sug-
gestlon was followed, and only a short
time after the boat was wrecked, DR..
Won Zellen, brother of Ernest, who
navieated the boat, received word that
the party were safe in Big Bay. The
craft is a total wreck. but it may be
pos bic TO save the engine, The loss
is estimated at nearly $1,000.
A steady northwest wind was blow
ing. the sky was overcast and driv-
ing rain which made it impossible TO
see more than a few feet caused the
young men to decide to seek shelter
when they came to the mouth Of SAL
mon Trout river. The launch was thir-
~ feet overall. and a good boat in a
heavy sea. II was handled by Mr. Won
Zenen, who had had long experience
IA running ii. Because Of the dark
ness It was impossible 10 gauge ac-
curatcly the position OF the boat, and
while trying 10 find shelter near the
mouth of the stream the propeller
struck a rock and was badly damaged. |
However the boat was not made un-
comfortable. and the engine was kept
running.
Tried 10 Make Big Bay.
Frightened at their narrow escape |
from being thrown upon the rocks, the
young men turned the launch around .
and, giving the shore wide berth
made for Big Bay where it was
thought that with some luck landing
at the sheltered pier might be effected.
The waves We're rolling high, and the
little boat, doing poorly in the sea be-
cause of the injured propeller, was
washed from stem TO stern by the
breakers. However, through skillful
Of the wheel, the craft
was brought close in To- the pier at Big
Pay The difficulty Of making land
ing now presented itself. Necdham,
being the ablest swimmer Of the three,
, Volunteered to swim ashore. and some
how manage 20 carry "a lantern with
him. After being buffeted on the rocks
and bruised, he MANAGED 10 get out @:
the water. While the others waited
patiently, he searched for someone to
aid them.
Young Needham finally found the
railway track leading to the mill at
BIC Bay and by keeping to this was
able TO find the lighthouse on Che point,
where he procured the assistance Of
the keeper Several attempts were
iuIle TO cast rope to the launch, but
over the pier, and once Ncedham was
washed into the lake only saving him
sell hy the aid of TN" rope he stiH held
tho end OF which was tied 10 a cleat
on the dock. Won Zellen, in an at
tempt to reach the rope, after bring
ing the boat as close as he dared let
go his hold on the gunwale, and was
washed overheard. Somehow he and
fauthinr were able TO get ashore nj
though both were bruised by their CON
tact with the rocks. ~ was when Won
lgnau lost his hold on the boa. that
bo wreck was inevitable. one pound
ug breaker suniced to h1rl the launch
ZOO tho rocks. where it was shattered. ,
Tho three voung men We're cared for
by the lishu,ccpor until Saturday noon
when they Left FOR Marquette by rail
Ihav consider il marvel that it was
possible Tor them Co Keep the boat off
Inc rocks as long as they did. II is {
ulkC.v that any three young men in
Marquette have had a more thrilling 7
sprricuce in one night than that Of
he party IN the Won Zeller laurch
md &C. is 20 cause OF wonder tina, they
ire alive TO tell the tale.