Steamer Alaska Loses Rudder, Towed to New York

The steamer Alaska, which arrived Monday, sailed from Queenstown, Saturday, January 31. Until Wednesday she kept up her usual rate of progress, about four hundred miles daily. On Wednesday a heavy gale arose from the west and the sea ran very high. The only effect it had on the vessel, however, was to reduce the speed for the day to about two hundred miles.

Wednesday's gale was followed by another on Thursday, and still another on Friday. This continued all day Saturday. By Monday the ship was making her usual rate of speed and everything was going smoothly; but about midnight another fierce gale arose. The sea again grew rough. At six o'clock the next morning the rudder broke just above the blade.

The wind blew strong from the northwest all day and to add to the discomfort the atmosphere grew cold and the vessel's sides were covered with ice. The next day, Wednesday, was dismal. The wind and sea had moderated, but there was no way of steering the vessel and she lay helpless on the water.

Late in the afternoon she signalled the steamer Lake Winnipeg of the Beaver line. It was not until three o'clock of the following day that the Lake Winnipeg was made fast to the Alaska and made to serve as rudder by acting as a tow. After some difficulty the two steamers proceeded and reached New York in this manner.