THE GREAT STORM.
An Account of Wreckage and Disaster Wrought on Lake Huron.
The most terrific wind and rain storm ever experienced along the shore of Lake Huron, took place, commencing Monday night and continuing until Thursday night at 12 o'clock. There is no question that the storm has wrought wreckage and disaster all over the lakes. At this point the waves rolled with terrific force and it was thought at times they would sweep away the docks. Considerable damage was done to both steamboat docks in the way of tearing up the planking, displacing stringers, etc. Colwell, McGregor & Co. are the losers of from 40,000 to 50,000 shingles. The schooner Aunt Ruth which was moored at Union Dock, was considerably pounded and bruised, but escaped serious injury. G. L. Colwell's lighter, lying in one of the slips, was sunk and completely buried with debris. At Sturgeon point about 50 feet of the beach was washed away, greatly endangering the light house tower. The barge Genessee Chief was loaded with lumber at Black River, on Tuesday last and towed out to anchor. The storm came on in its fury, and on Wednesday morning it became evident that she must be relieved of her deck load or go under. A portion of the same was finally thrown overboard, and yet the oldest sailors of B. R. declared she could never "ride it out." About 8 a. m. the life saving crew, Capt. E. P. Motley, arrived from Sturgeon Point, and with their heroic efforts succeeded in getting crew of the barge ashore, and after the storm was over took them back again and helped the crew pump her out. Not until Capt. Motley had assisted in weighing the Chief's anchor did he consent to leave for home with his tired men. Too much praise cannot be given the Capt. and crew of the station for their bravery and efficiency during the whole affair. The Chief was towed away by the Mackinaw yesterday afternoon, appearing all right, with the exception of some damage done her upper works by the sea, which can be repaired en route. At Oscoda the barge Susan Ward is a total wreck at the north side of the O. S. & L. Co's. lower dock. The barge Keepsake was driven through this dock near the beach and badly wrecked. The barge Wyandotte broke loose from Pott's dock and drifted upon the beach on the north side of said dock, where she lies in a bad state. The barge Marvin which was anchored in the lake abreast of Oscoda, dragged her anchor over a mile, but fortunately finally secured a fastening, and is all right. It is reported that two vessels are aground at Fish Point below Au Sable. The Tawas Point life saving crew went to the rescue of the sailors upon the same. Rumor also says that one of the life saving crew was drowned in the attempt to save others. The steam barge Fay, laden with 65,000 bush. of wheat is ashore on the north point of Thunder Bay. Wednesday afternoon the tug Allie May came down to this place from Alpena in the height of the gale. The passage was perhaps one of the roughest ever made by so small a steamer. The men on board say her rolling and pitching were something indescribably awful as were also their feelings at the time. She made the trip safely however. The Steamer City of Alpena had her bulwarks stove in by the furious billows. She passed this point at about 7 o'clock Tuesday night, and did not reach Alpena harbor until after 11 o'clock. Geo. W. Colwell, who was aboard her and carried to Alpena, says it was about the roughest passage he ever experienced. The steamer Metropolis was unable to land here on the down trip Tuesday morning. No mail was received either Tuesday or Wednesday. It is impossible at time of going to press to give an account of all the wreckage and disaster that was wrought on Lake Huron by this, one of the worst storms that swept over the lakes.