Accident to the Water Witch

ACCIDENT TO THE WATER WITCH.—By the steamer Illinois, which reached here yesterday from Lake Superior, we learn of a serious disaster which happened to the propeller Water Witch on her last up-trip. On the 7th inst., when 12 miles out from LaPointe, she broke her shaft, damaging her stern and causing her to leak rapidly. Her pumps were instantly set in operation and she was kept afloat. She was subsequently got into LaPointe by the strong efforts of 73 oarsmen. She had a water-tight bulkhead, which was all that prevented her fires from being put out and the boat going down. Our informant was unable to state the amount of damage she has sustained, but the loss and detention attending the disaster will doubtless reach several hundred dollars. The Water Witch, we understand, was on her third trip, and is connected with Ward’s line of steamers in the Lake Superior line.