The Chicora Went Down

The steam propeller Chicora of the Graham & Morton transportation company sailed f rom Mihvaukee on Jan. 21 at 5 a. m. for Benton Harbor, Mich. Within five hours a fearful wind was blowing on Lake Michigan which increased during the day and night. the huge waves carrying large noes of ice to a tremendous hight and dropping them down into the troughs of the sea. The storm continued to rage for two days. When the steamer did not reach port the owners and the relatives of those on board betame fearful of disaster, but clung to the hope that the strong steamer was outridding the storm and drifting with the ice Üoes until the storm abated. It was not until a tewpieces of wreckage were picked up near South Haven that all hope was abandoned. At flrst only a portion of the upper deck work was found, but soon large pieces Of the main deck and Imlwarks and interior fittings were washed up and then it was known that all were lost. The steamer Chicora was the stanchest vessel on the lakes and built pressly lor winter tralhc three years ag-o at Detroit, costing 8105,000. Her crew and passengers, 22 in number, all of wliom perished, were as follows: Edward Stines, captain, of St. Joseph; C. D. Simons, first mate, Benton Harbor; Benjamin Stines, second mate, St. Joseph, captain's son; Joseph Marks. wheelman, Henton Harbor: Thomas Robertson and John Hodges, watchmen; Robert McClure, chief engiueer, Detroit; Alfred Wirtz, second engineer, Detroit; Grant A. Downey, oiler. Detroit; Nate Lynch, cook, St. Joseph: James Malone. pantry man, Chicago; W. M. Morgan, head waiter, Benton Harbor; Jesse Davis, porter. Benton Harbor; James R. Clark, clerk. St. Joseph; Joseph Pearl, druggist. St. Joseph; "Doe" Ballinger, overall manufacturer, St. Joseph; Archibald Bently, Ted Gearing, D. Brundage and John Ryan, deckhands; John Werner. of Sweden, and William Miller, of Benton Harbor, firemen. The loss of the vessel exclusive of the cargo amounted to tl60,000 and the cargo of 38 carloads of iiour was valued at 820,000. There was no insurance on either the vessel or cargo as marine underwriters do not take risks at this season of the year.