My Russians were making good progress removing the rails, the freight having been all portaged, and the scows run through the previous day were being drawn up to the Island and reloaded. About 10 o'clock Captain Barber started to run the tug "Crester" through the rapids without steam, steering with auxiliary in case of accident. Disaster dogged the footsteps of the railroad party apparently. Nothing had gone well so far. The climax had arrived. Those who were watching the river gave a shout. All eyes went to the rapid immediately; there was the "Crester" shooting down through the roughest of the water well over on the land side, out of control. We learned later that her rudder had been smashed. We saw her take a few bad bumps from a distance of two hundred yards; then with a final heave she seemed to be lifted bodily and dashed on the rocks close inshore where she lay a wreck with her bottom stove in, broadside to the current with the waves breaking over her.
The "Crester" Dismantled
There were no casualties. With the aid of spars, the crew were easily able to make the land. It was the middle of the afternoon before it was possible for me to go over and see the tug. In the space of six hours the captain, engineer and boatmen had her completely dismantled and all her "innards" ashore, whilst preparations were being made to pull her off and float her down the rest of the way into the Big Eddy, where she could be patched up.
(To be continued)
[Moose Island Afire]
Clergyman's Bonfire Grows Into Conflagration, Threatening H.B.C. Post and Natives' Homes
BY GEO. FINDLAY, Moose Factory