Loss Of The Propeller Ironsides

Grand Haven, September lö. - The propeller Ironsides, of the Engelmann line, onnecting with the Detroit & MUwaukee Eailroad, and one of the lai-gest steamers on the lakes, foundered and sunk spven miles off this port, at noon today. Her signal of distress was hoisted at 9 this morning, but so terrible was the sea and heavy wind that no assistance could reach her. She labored in the trough of the sea froui about 8:30 A. M. till the time she sunk. The passengere and crew prepared the boats to leave her at about 10:30 A. M., and the last boat lef her at 11:50 A. M. There were 19 passengers and 32 of the boats' crew. When the last boat had got about a quarter of a mile from her she went down. EFFORTS AT KESCUE. The Ironsides was in plain sight of the harbor until she went to the bottom. Senator Ferry was one of the first to discover her signal of distress, about 10 o'clock, but it was too late, and even then there was no boat here which could ride the terrible sea to carry relief. The propeller Lake Breeze bravely undertook the terrible task, but was herself disabled before she got half a mile out of the harbor. EELIEVINO THE SAVED. ' There lias been great excitement here all the afteruoon. Huudreds of people thronged the beach and aided in rescuing several of the passongers, providing them with clothing, brandy, and other pnmfViri.s. STATEMENT OF THE CLEEK. The following is the statement of Mr. ST. O. Watkins, of this city, clerk of the [ronsides: " We left Milwaukee at 9:40 ast night, with 19 passengers and a crew }f 30 men, and were due in Grand Haven aetween 5 and 6 this morning. The jargo consistod of 13,000 bushels of wheat, 500 barrels of flour, 125 barrels of pork, and eome miscellaneous articles, which was a very light cargo, as tho boat could carry eleven hundred tons. A moderate breoze was blowing from the southwest, which constantly increased until it became a terrific gale before daylight. 1 did not get up until 9 o'clock, when the boat was rolling fearfully. 1 immediately went below and found the men working at the pumps. The water had already put out the fires, and the engines were useless. I then went to the office, got the passenger register, money and manifests, and went on the hurricane deck. where I found Captain Sweetman getting the foresail on her. Hewas thoroughly self-possessed, and the men obeved orders promptly. We then made about three miles toward shore. The signal of distress had been raised at 9:30. About 10 o'clock the passengers all put on life preservers, for it was evident tüat the boat must go down. At 11:20 the captain ordered the boats to be manned. In the first boat all the laáy passengers, except one, were placed. In the second were 10 or 12 of the passengers and crew. I took charge of the third boat, which carried seven passengers, including one lady and two of the crew, besides myself, all of whom wero saved. After I had pushed off I saw two other boats leavo the wreek, in one of which I supposed the captain to be. My boat was hardly half a mile from the Ironsides when she sank, stern foremost, about five miles from shore. It was 10 minutes past 12 whon she disappeared. She was bstimat ed to be worth f 115,000, was thoroughly overhauled last winter, and was considered one of the staunohest boats on the lako.