The Evening Bulletin

THE LOSS OF THE SEA WING

Statement from the Captain and Clerk of the Ill-Fated Vessel.

ST. PAUL, July 19.- Capt. Wethern and six of the crew of the ill-fated steamer Sea Wing arrived in this city Thursday afternoon, and Government Inspectors Yeager and Knapp are conducting an investigation of affairs behind closed doors.

Capt. Wethern and Clerk Niles have given to the press a statement of the disaster. It is as follows:

The steamer Sea Wing had been recently inspected and found to be in good condition, and, with the barge she had in company, was allowed 250 passengers. There were less than 175 aboard. There were on the boat and barge 200 floats, 187 cork and tule life-preservers, and seven good skiffs, with twenty-eight oars.

The boat left Lake City at 8 o'clock and proceeded up the lake about five miles. When the storm struck us the boat was completely and instantly overturned. Capt. Wethern was at the wheel and did all in his power to keep the boat headed into the wind, and remained in the pilot house until completely submerged, then broke through the side and succeeded in reaching shore. The engineer stood at his post until the water filled the engine room, then made his escape. When the boat capsized there was no water in the hull, and nothing but the force of the wind upset her. The barge was not cut loose until the steamer capsized, and then only to save it from being swamped.

The boat was only three years old, and was well built throughout, machinery and all. The boat's tonnage was 109.55 tons. The crew were all men, and understood their business. No liquors were on board, and none of the crew drank a drop that day; and, more, none of the crew were drinking men. When the boat left Lake City the storm seemed to have passed, and the crew deemed it safe to start. Passengers also wanted to go, and so the boat started out on her return. The life-preservers were such as the inspector ordered, and were all in good condition. The boat was to start at 5 o'clock, but most of the number from Red Wing wished to remain until after the dress parade, at 7 o'clock. Hence the boat delayed until 8 o'clock before starting.