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The second day's expedition in
search of the victims of the ill fated yacht Idler did not prove fruitful
as was at first expected, but hope is still retained that success will
finally crown the heroic efforts of the beraved Capt. James Corrigan,
Yesterday's expedition was in the main for the purpose of recovering the
body of the infant daughter of Mr. Charles L. Rieley, and to this end
about twenty men, two tugs and a wrecking crew were employed on the lake
for many hours.
Shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday
morning the tug William Kennedy, in charge of Capt. Sam McAnaugh, left the
docks of the Great Lakes Towing Co., at the foot of Main street. She
carried with her besides the crew Capt. James Corrigan, Mr. Frank Rieley,
father-in-law of Mrs. Charles J. Rieliy; Al Rumsey, who was in charge of
the expedition; Divers Metcalf and Schwab, and their assistants, together
with the mate and crew of the yacht. At the United States life saving
station Capt. Motley and Surfman Mulcahy were taken aboard, and their
small surf boat taken in tow. About the same time the tug Tom Maytham,
under Capt Bush, came out of her slip towing the Smith wrecking scow
Jumbo, a large ungainly craft. with its deck strewn with ropes., tackles,
chains, and derricks. The two tugs made fast to the wrecking scow and
headed toward the wreck.
The rising sun showed a clear
east, but the west was somewhat threatening, and the choppy sea indicated
that slightly rough weather might be expected, but by 7 o'clock, when the
wreck was reached, the lake had calmed and no better conditions for a good
work could be expected. To anchor the tug Kennedy in position for the
divers was a task which consumed about an hour, and shortly before 8
o'clock Diver Walter Metcalf made his first descent. He was down but a
moment or two when the signal to raise him to the surface was given, and
it was hoped that success had early crowned his efforts, but not such good
luck. He was empty handed, and explained that his diving paraphernalia was
not working properly, After again arranging it he made a second descent,
this time being supplied with nails and battings with which to close up
the door and hatchway of the vessel. This time he remained beneath the
water about fifteen minutes.
When he appeared at the surface
again he stated that he had traveled to the end of his pipe line or a
distance of about 100 feet, travercing to a considerable depth the cabin,
but failed to find the body of the child. He then nailed the slats across
the door and nailed the hatchway down so that the boat could be towed
ashore and whatever was in the cabin could not find its way out. This is
one of the strong hopes that is entertained for the recovery of the
child's body. The divers also stated that there is a possibility that
either one or both of the other bodies, those of Miss Ida and Miss Jane
Corrigan may also be in the cabin, which point will be proved when the
careful search is made in shallow water.
From start to finish Capt.
Corrigan retained his composure and, in fact, was the foremost among the
workers. He superintended the work of anchoring the tug and later in the
work of getting the chain under the keel of the yacht, even putting ropes
and handling tackle with the nimbleness of a young sailor. During the time
the diver was down the captain anxiously inquired what means had been
taken to provide for them if they should be brought up, and then he
anxiously watched the bubbling track of the diver as he moved about and
disappointment was plainly marked upon his countenance when the trip
resulted unsuccessfully.
By teh time the divers had
completed their work the fickle lake was a perfect calm, but threatening
clouds appeared in the west. A large chain was then fastened to ropes
between the tugs and an effort was made to slip this under the nose of the
sunken vessel. The first trial was unsuccessful, however, as the Maytham's
line was cut by the bobstay of the Idler and a most tedious task of again
taking in and arranging the chain began. This consumed time and greatly
agitated all at work, for the clouds in the west became more and more
threatening. At last the chain was ready and this time let down
successfully, Then a series of towing, first by one vessel and then by
another, gradually worked the chain beneath the bow of the yacht and back
about to her formast. This work was scarcely completed when the
storm about 1 o'clock struck the little fleet. Everything was made snug
and the men hastened out of the rain and hail which pelted down
ferociously, striking the face and body wherever it struck. The rain was
blinding and the sea rose in a wild rage, which allowed a slight picture
of what must have been the conditions of the weather at the time the wreck
occurred. In less than an hour, however, the storm had subsided and the
men were again eagerly at their work as they hoped to have their work
finished and not have to make another trip to the scene of the wreck. It
was decided that all efforts would be made to float the Idler sufficiently
that she might ve towed into the shallow water near the breakwater and a
through search be made of the interior of the vessel. To this end Al
Rumsey left the work in charge of Capt. Corrigan and proceeded to the city
on the Mayham to obtain food and other stimulants for the men and light by
which to work if night overtook them.
The work on the Idler had to be
abandoned about 8 o'clock last night on account of the high winds and
heave seas. A chain placed around the Idler which was to be attached to a
derrick on a derrick scow will remain in place and the work can ve
continued as soon as the lake is calm again.
It is the intention of the
wrecking crew to lift one end of the Idler and let the other drag on the
bottom, Tugs will be attached to the derrick scow and the Idler will be
dragged ashore in that way.
No bodies were found last night.
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