19 Lives Lost In A Storm

The sxëamgï Idabo1 of theJUjj'stern Tntiis.'.t lino (Xew York Central)_founddredjn eight fathoms of water at 4:30 iW-i?f. ofE„ Long Point in Lake Erie. ïhïs pöinf juli out into the lake from ttíe anadian shore about 65 miles west of Buffalo and its vicinity has béfen the scène of many disasters, The Idaho, 'doramanded by Capt. A. Gillies, of Buffalo, anH having ou board a crew of 21, all tólS, left Buffaló laden with packagè freight for Mirwaukee. A sfrong sotithNvest }?;ilt' was blowlnjf at the time and the weather ofRce had storm sig-nals wp for the ta Capt. Gillfes thought he could weathér the guie and headed Btraight up tiie lake. Shortly after passing Long Point he discovered his mistalte and tried to run for shelter. The sea was running very high at the time and in turning the Idaho shipped a blg sea, which qi;oi)ched the fires in the eng-ines and the böat was heipless in the trougli of the sea. The captain and cvci' wére lowering the lifeboat when the aeamer gave a llirch and went down on her side, stern first, taking the lifeboat with her. Two of the crew, Lewis La Force, second mate and Wra, Gill, of Rochester. a deckhand, managed to reach the top of a single spar that stood above the water. ïhere the clung until eight hours later, when they were discovered bv tbs outlook on the steamcr Mariposa of the Minnesota line, The effort of those on board the Mariposa to rescue the two men involved the greatest possible danger. The sea was running' very higrh and lifeboats could not be launched. Lines were thrown to the two men, but their arms and lcgs had stiffened around the spar and they could do nothing to help theinselves. The Mariposa ran as close to the spar as possible and efforts were made to grasp the men while passing. Th is was repeated sereral times and with success at last. . The Idaho was an old boat, having been built in 1863. She went out of comraission severa! years ago, but was overhauled this year and put to work again. She was 220 feet and had a gross tonnage of 1,130. The captain of the ill-fated steamer, Alexander Gillies, was one of the most widely known of lake seamen. He was 41 years old and knew the lake waters like a book.