How Big Shot Took $1,000,000 Crack on the Chin: Schooner Days CCCII (302)

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"WHERE and why," asked the compiler of Schooner Days, "did you get this ring-buoy?"

The ring-buoy bears the inscription "Gunilda, N.Y.C." The man at whom the question was fired is the veteran Capt. Wm. J. Stitt, master mariner, who lives at 138 Evelyn crescent when he isn't commanding steamers, tugs, and wrecking outfits. The name Gunilda certainly does not belong to the National Yacht Club, in which the compiler has enjoyed membership for thirty years, nor, so far as he knows, does Capt. Stitt belong to that excellent organization. Nor to the New York Yacht Club, which was the more probable—and as it proved—correct, alternative.

"Oh," said Capt. Stitt, "this is hardly in your line, for the only schooner qualification the ship concerned had was that she had two little pole masts, apparently schooner rigged. The sails under their white canvas covers may have been dummies. Many steam yachts "sails" are dummies, and this was a steam yacht, and a very fine one.

"In the fall of 1911 when I was on the wrecking tug James Whalen, up at the head of Lake Superior, we got a call to release a large private steam yacht from the Bayfield Reef, just off Rossport, Ont., on Lake Superior's shore. In all my long years of marine experience I never had a job that proved more trying and disheartening.

"The large and beautiful all-steel yacht Gunilda, 215 feet in length and twin screw and elegantly outfitted, was owned by Wm. L. Harkness, of New York, vice-pres. of the Standard Oil Company. With his family and party of friends he was on a cruise from New York to Duluth, Minn., and in a dense fog the yacht ran on to the Bayfield Reef, a small spot of rock that isn't much larger than the boat herself that lies just inside Copper Island and about mid-way between the island and the mainland.

"The Gunilda was capable of making some eighteen miles per hour in ordinary weather, but owing to the fog she had been slowed down to about 10 to 12 miles per hour when she struck the reef. She glided up on the shoal, driving her bow completely out of the water until her stern was submerged almost to the lake level and she had a bad list to port.

"By actual measurement the yacht's waterline was 11 feet above the level of the lake. A large boulder that happened to be on the shoal came in contact with the bilge and prevented the yacht from turning over completely and drowning all of the passengers and crew.

"After the confusion of the stranding was over, and it was lucky it happened during the daylight, one of the yacht's large gas driven launches was, with some difficulty, put in the water, and Mr. and Mrs. Harkness and the guests were transferred to Rossport, some six miles distant, where they took the C.P.R. train for Port Arthur to wait there until such time as arrangements could be made to release the Gunilda from the reef and bring her to the city. But fate denied them this privilege for they were never to see their beautiful steam yacht again.

"After Mr. Harkness arrived at Port Arthur he made arrangements with the Canadian Towing & Wrecking Company to despatch their wrecking tug James Whalen and a wrecking outfit to the scene of the wreck, release the yacht and escort her back to Port Arthur. After loading wrecking equipment the tug James Whalen left Port Arthur, arrived early next morning at the Gunilda, and made a thorough examination of the yacht and shoal before deciding on the best plan for releasing the yacht.

"As the Gunilda had no strong bits or mooring posts to pull on a large 8-inch rope hawser was put completely around the yacht and slung up evenly all around. The large steel hawser of the tug Whalen was attached and the tug commenced pulling directly astern. The Gunilda's engines were run reversed at full speed, but the craft, refused to budge an inch as her keel was firmly held by the saw-toothed ledge.

"The Whalen next tried to swing the yacht's stern back and forward, to break her hold on the reef. On account of the yacht's bilge resting against the boulder it was impossible to swing the Gunilda's stern to port, but when pulled to starboard she would straighten up on even keel but would not swing.

"We were afraid to list the yacht too far over to starboard in case she would topple over and fill and sink, so we would ease the Whalen away when the yacht came up on even keel.

"We were getting no place, so wrecking master Wolvin ordered us to pull to starboard all the time, and not let up when the yacht straightened up. We did this, and as we feared she toppled over on her side with her masts in the lake. She commenced filling through the ports, skylights, companion ways, etc. We on the Whalen were compelled then to slip our hawser and rescue the Gunilda's crew and those others left on board, for she was fast going down by the stern. It called for desperate measures. We drove the Whalen's bow crash into the centre of the Gunilda and rescued the crew and wreckers over the bow of the tug. Just in time, for the Gunilda upended next moment and sank stern first into the depths, of Lake Superior.

"As the bow disappeared below the lake a terrific explosion rent the air, for the boilers had exploded when the ice cold Lake Superior water hit them. The lake was covered with wreckage of all sorts. But the main thing that counted was that no lives were lost.

"We picked up anything of value and with three of the Gunilda's lifeboats in tow, which we salvaged before she sank, we turned the bow of the Whalen towards Port Arthur all feeling pretty blue.

"The Gunilda carried a crew of thirty-three and had made eight trips around the world, and for the first time in her life she was to have been laid up for a rest during the coming winter. She cost $1,000,000 and was only insured for $100,000. Thousands of dollars in silver plate, pianos, and priceless treasures gathered from all parts of the world as well as some in the safe, went down with the yacht.

"Just as the Whalen was about to leave the scene of the disaster a motorboat was approaching from Rossport, and as it drew near Mr. Harkness, the Gunilda owner, was seen standing in the bow. He had become anxious while in Port Arthur and decided to return to the actual scene of the accident and had caught a train for Rossport and had arrived only to see the wreckage of his dream yacht that covered the bosom of the lake.

"When the launch drew up alongside the Whalen the captain of the Gunilda, a fine old salt who had seen the Gunilda built and had sailed her from her maiden voyage, with tears in his eyes moved over to the side to greet his owner and boss. He could not speak.

"The first words came from Mr, Harkness, 'Well, Captain, she is gone. Were any lives lost?' The captain said no one was lost, 'Thank God,' said Mr. Harkness, 'we can get a new yacht but we cannot bring a life back.'

"Everyone on the Whalen was relieved and felt better. This was one of the finest speeches ever uttered and proved the true character of the man.

"Mr. Harkness again proved himself pure gold. When he got back to Port Arthur he outfitted every member of the Gunilda crew with clothes, grips and traveling necessities, paid their wages to the end of the season, and their transportation to New York City.

"Attempts have been made twice without success to salvage the valuables of the Gunilda. The hull was located but the diver could not get inside as the explosion of the boilers had completely blocked up all passages. It is estimated, perhaps exaggeratedly, that some $150,000 in cash and valuables were in the $1,000,000 yacht when she went to the bottom.

"That life buoy is my souvenir of the show."

()THE 'GUNILDA' UP-ENDED NEXT MOMENT AND SANK STERN FIRST."

THE 'WHALEN' TO THE RESCUE OF THE 'GUNILDA.'