Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1886 — A DISASTROUS SEASON. [ARTICLE]

A DISASTROUS SEASON.

Many Vessels Destroyed and Lives Lost on the Lukes. [Chicago telegram,] The recent storms have practically put a stop to navigation for the season of 1886. As fast as the lumber fleet arrives the vessels are'being stripped and sent into winter quarters in the various slips. The season has been a good one as far as freights were concerned, but the underwriters have suffered heavily and the loss of. human life has been great. So far this season thirty-three yj^alH—have been driven on shore or /ounaered, with more or less loss. The sfihooners L. J. Conway, Belle Walbridge, South Haven, Pathfinder, Lucerne, Florida, Helen, Menekaunee, Marinette, Dickenson, and Emerald and the fine propeller Robert Wallace are total losses, and represent a money value of nearly $500,000 in vessel property. What the value of the cargoes was cannot be accurately computed, but will probably double that amount. The schooner Lucerne, which foundered in Lake Superior with a load of iron ore, took with her the entire crew of ten men. Not a single body was recovered. Eight lives were lost on the Marinette and seven on the Menekaunee, only one man of the two crews escaping. The scow Helen went to pieces off Muskegon, and her entire crew of seven men were drowned. The schooner Florida, with a cargo of coal, went ■ to pieces- offMarqnette. The crew waresaved, with the exception of the mate, who was caught between the rescuing-tug and the vessel and squeezed to death. Tho Dickenson and Emerald broke adrift from the tug Justice Field and went into the breakers. Eight men out of their crews of sixteen were lost, making a total of fortyone sailors who have lost their lives by tho wrecking of vessels this season.