LAKE HURON BREEZES.
Two of G. L. Colwell's Barges Driven Ashore.
Last Friday night old Lake Huron got up on another of her "tantrums" and boiled vociferously. Late in the evening the tug Mose and Dave came up from Au Sable with the large barge Bay City in tow, and when abreast of Harrisville, the barge, which, owing to the heavy sea, could not make the harbor, cast double anchor, and the tug came into the dock. As the night advanced the wind grew fiercer and the sea higher and more powerful, which finally forced the barge to drag her anchors and make towards the shore. Fortunately, however, by the timely assistance of Messrs. Colwell, Brahaney, the clerks in Colwell, McGregor & Co.'s store and other parties, who, after many unsuccessful efforts and amid adverse circumstances finally got a line from the barge and made the same fast to the north extension of Colwell's old dock, the barge was swung up to the dock, north side, and saved from going ashore. Here the barge lay until Tuesday morning filled with water (and having aboard about fifty tons of hay for R. A. Alger & Co.) when the tug Swain arrived from Detroit with one of S. B. Grummond's large steam pumps, the water was pumped out of her hold and the craft moved to the north side of the new dock. The barge was considerably strained, though not materially injured, and will be able to do duty again soon.
The same night the barge Dobins, owned also by Mr. Colwell came near being pounded to pieces at the dock at Au Sable, but was scuttled in time to ward off serious damage.
The schooner W. D. Ogden also went ashore at Oscoda.
The steam barge H. C. Schnoor, which was loading lumber at James Beard & Co.'s dock at Alcona, broke loose from her moorings and went hard aground near the dock. She was released Monday morning by the tug Mocking Bird and towed to Port Huron for repairs. Friday morning John Pasque, the Sturgeon Point light keeper, and the crew of the life saving station went to the assistance of the Schnoor and took off a part of her crew. In Pasque's eagerness to get along side the grounded craft to take off the captain, his boat became swamped and he (Pasque) was precipitated into the boiling waters of Lake Huron. But, however, he did not give up. He went back to shore, put on a dry suit and again started upon his mission, and safely brought the said captain ashore. The life-saving crew threw their shot line, made fast their hawser to the boat, and brought the mate ashore by means of the breeches buoy. Much credit is due the life saving crew and Mr. Pasque for their alertness and effective work during the trying ordeal.
Much other damage to crafts on the lake, with some total wrecks, is reported.
P. S.--Since writing the above, the barge Bay City has been towed to the dry dock at Bay City for repairs.