Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== LOSS OF THE HENRY B. SMITH TOLD OF BY BOS'N SLATTERY --------------- "One of the most specatular sights I ever witnessed was when the steamer Henry B. Smith, commanded by Capt. Jimmy Owen, left Marquette on Novem- ber 9, 1913, on her last trip," said B'os'n Slattery to a party of sailor friends at the Seamen's home last night. "She was never seen or heard from after the snowstorm closed in on her about four miles outside Marquette, and I was one of the last fellows to set eyes upon her. She left port and went ahead into a furious gale. The snow had cleared up quite a bit before she left port, but it came down in blinding flakes after she had been outside a few miles. "I stood with the other boys in the bow of the steamer Denmark that had laid next to the Smith at the dock and we watched her as she headed down the lake. The seas seemed mountains high, and the Smith was pitching like a row- boat as she bucked in the big seas. At times she stood right on her stern so that we could see everything on her deck; then she would plunge forward, coming down with a slam and standing on her nose so that her wheel was thrown clear out of the water. She was rearing like a spirited race horse when I last saw her, and just as she was about to pound down again the snowfall shut her off from my sight. No man ever saw that ship again. She went to the bottom with Capt. Owen and twenty-six of a crew." "How did Capt. Owen happen to go out in such a blow?" Mr. Slattery asked Screwdriver Scotty. "That is the question that has been asked more than once," replied Bos'n. "I have always thought pride had some- thing to do with it. I remember that Capt. Owen had a little rumpus with the ore dock people that day because the dock had shut down on account of the storm, and wouldn't load his boat. He finally persuaded them to open up, and put on his cargo of ore. Meanwhile the gale kept getting worse, but by the time they had the Smith loaded the snow had cleared away considerably; and Capt. Owen, after having kicked up such a fuss with the dock people to get loaded, I suppose didn't like to remain at the dock after getting his cargo on. So he decided to go out in it, although I know the men didn't like to do it. The second mate jumped off the boat just as the line was being let go. "I felt that the good ship was doomed when I saw the way she was pounding and plunging into those terrific seas, in that blinding snow storm. I suppose Capt. Owen was too game to turn back even if he could have done so. Buffalo Courier, Sunday, January 9, 1916 ==========================================================================