LONG, TEDIOUS WAIT BY SHIP'S CREW FOR RELIEF.

Tug General Reaches Soo With Officers and Sailors of Wrecked Steamer Wissahickon---Four Days and Five Nights in Peril. Cared for By Fishermen--- Men Leave for Buffalo---Capt. Miller and Engineer Return to Boat.

(News Tribune Special.)

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., Dec. 19.---The tug General arrived at the Soo at 8:30 this morning, having on board, safe and well the crew of the wrecked Anchor Liner, Wissahickon. Some difficulty was experienced in getting to the vessel, which delayed the return here till this time. When the tug General left Detour the captain's orders were to take no chances. As the weather was very uncertain and snowing most of the time, Capt. Nelson went around Cockburn island, where he could get shelter, if necessary, rather than take a direct courses to the Duck islands. When he got behind Cockburn island he made arrangements with a fishing tug, which was of lesser draught than the General, to go over and get the crew. This took another day and it was not until Saturday morning that they were all on board the tug.

Unable to Keep a Course.

The Wissahickon went on 11:30 o'clock Sunday night, Dec. 12, in a blinding snowstorm. All day Sunday they had been fighting their way along in the gale, tacking back and forth with the sea, not being able to keep a course. Capt. Miller says:

"When we left Fort Gratiot, easterly gale signals were up and I headed the ship up the center of the lake in order to keep off the shore. How we came to be so far out of our course, I do not know. We had been going along under check since 10 o'clock that morning. When we struck the waves threw us upon the reef so that we landed as she lays now, in about 11 feet of water forward and about 13 aft.

"We blew distress signals all during the night, but there was no chance of any one hearing them in the gale. The waves were mountains high, breaking over boat all day Monday and Monday night. The gale continued with no signs of any one finding us out. Tuesday and Tuesday night passed with the same result. On Wednesday it was calmer and three men came out from Duck Island in a gasoline launch. In this boat the first mate and second engineer got to Manitoulen Island and sent a request for assistance and then returned to the vessel." They anxiously waited the tug that would take them off.

Determined to Abandon Ship.

Thursday it was determined to abandon the vessel if it should commence to blow again, and take to the island, on which live three families of fishermen. This was to be done by a signal which would bring out the launch. It being impossible to launch their boats. Friday morning there was no signs of help, and at 8:30 four long toots from the Wissahickon's whistle brought the launch out and they were taken ashore. Had they remained half and hour longer their release would have been further delayed because of the wind springing up and the waves lashing the reef on which the boat lay. They got their dinners on the island and all spoke in words of praise in the manner these sturdy fishermen took care of them. Towards evening one of them sighted a tug coming over from Cockburn, which proved to be the Donald McKay. With the welcome news that a tug was waiting to take them to the Soo, a stay was made here all night, it being too dark to attempt to make Cockburn island.

In the morning a start was made and with great difficulty they made their way back. At times the waves looked as if they would swamp the little craft with its burden of 28 men. All had to be on deck and they were wet through. When they reached Cockburn island they found the General had moved to a safer anchorage, in the false Detour passage, and it was about noon when all got aboard.

Never Saw Such Seas.

Captain Miller said:

"I never saw such seas in all my 27 years sailing. Every sea, as it broke over us, seemed as if it would break the decks. We are all glad to get back to land again, and as far as we are concerned, the ship is abandoned."

The crew left for Buffalo tonight. Capt. Miller, Chief Engineer Rehbaum of Buffalo and his two assistants, Erskine and Reynolds, and the mate, E. J. Casey, have received orders to proceed to Alpena. It is understood they will be taken back to the wreck again from there. Her cargo is very valuable, consisting of pianos, gramophones and general merchandise. The crew whiled away part of the time with music, trying to relieve the suspense of waiting.

The Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN 20 Dec 1909
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!