There never yet has been a marine disaster of any magnitude but what Port Huron had contributed to the death roll. The greatest disaster in the history of the lakes, which is now being unfolded, has begun to claim its toll from this city. There is scarcely an hour of the day or night for that matter, within the past few days, but what the Times-Herald has received scores of telephone messages from anxious relatives and friends inquiring about missing boats and sailors.

A world of agony and suspense is pent up in those anxious inquiries, waiting to be relieved by the sad tiding that the worst had happened or by the cheerful message that the long sought one is safe in port.

Here are but a few of the incidents that occurred in The Times-Herald office within the past sixteen hours.

Captain Peter Egbert, of Military street, came into the newspaper office last night and inquired: "Is this absolutely true about the steamer McGean. My son Arthur is second mate on that boat. Is he lost?"

There was nothing to do but tell Captain Egbert that the McGean was gone and that the bodies of her dead were washing ashore in the vicinity of Goderich, Ont. He was also informed that over 20 of the bodies at Goderich had been recovered and were awaiting identification and that one of the McGean's bodies was at Sarnia. The latter description, which was secured by The Times-Herald, did not answer that of his son and this morning he started on his sad journey to Goderich to pick out the remains of his boy from the ever increasing row of silent forms.

Captain Egbert took the news of his son with the air of a Spartan, He was prepared for the worst and he did not flinch. He said: "Well, it is over, but it seems too bad. My boy was just working his way up. He was second mate and only 25 years old. In a few years he would have been captain. I will go to Goderich, Ont., tomorrow to bring him home, if he is there. I must go home now and tell the folks."

Captain Egbert had two other relatives out on the lakes, a son-in-law, Herman Frilay, captain of the steamer Upson, and a nephew Martin Johnson on the Clyde, Mr. Egbert has received word that Frilay is safe and also believes that his nephew is alright. Ths son, who was lost, is married and resides at Milwaukee.

A telephone message came from Port Hope late Thursday afternoon inquiring for some information regarding the John A. McGean. It was a woman who made the anxious inquiry. She wanted to know if the boat was safe. As gently as possible, the news was given to her that the McGean had one down with all hands and that many of the bodies were at Goderich, Ont. As soon as the last word was spoken there was a gasp over the wire and then silence. It took several seconds to again get in touch with Port Hope and the telephone operator stated that the young woman, who was Miss Pearl Huner, was overcome by the sad tidings. She was related to the captain of the McGean.