Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-09-05
Latest Marine Horror.
COLLISION OF ENGLISH STEAMERS
SIX Hundred and Fifty Passengers Go
Down to n Matery Crate.
PARTICULARS OF THE HEART.RENDING
OCCURRENCE.

LONDON September 4. The paddle wheel ex-
cufsion steamer Princess Alice, which was run
into and sunk wi tn such fIgbtsul results last even
ing, while on the return from Grsvesend TO Lon
don, by the screw steamer Bywell Castle, was one
of the largest saloon steamers VI the London
steamboat company. She left London about | |
o'clock Yesterday morning for Giayesend and
SheeIness.
Many excursionists being induced by the fine
We ather, took this occasion for holiday tiip The
vessel lett Gravesend on her return soon alter SIX
in the evening, aud arrived within sight of the
royal arsenal at w oowich about eight. The By
well Castle was then Apr, aching on the opposite
course. the steamers were near the middle OF
the stream just Oft the city of London gas works
at Brckton and below North Woolwch gardens,
almost The precise spot where the fatal collision
red between the MeIa and Wentworth ten
years ago.
All that is known amid the maddening excite
ment is that the screw steamer struck the Pm
cess Allen on the port side. The scene which eh-
sued has had no parallel on the river. A very few
person, climbed on the other vessel, but nearly
all rushed TO the after part of the Princess Alice
As the bow subsidized gradually uuder water the
shl iekswere ieaiiul, aud nothing could be done
TO lie.
There were several life buoys and some boats
swinging IN the davIts, but even If they could
have been got at they would have been of little
service. Within five minutes the Princess Alice
keeled completely over and went down. Some
oil Teck, another steamer belonging to the same
company, which was also on the prsssge up rlseI
with eAcurs ioDists, went 10 the rescue. nut the rv
er ior a hund ed yards was full Of drowning peo
pie, screaming III anguish and praying Tor help
and Us II was growing dark not much could
done.
Ii is believed not more than $50 escaped out OF
500 aboard. Inc Princess Alice was u long, low
river steamer, butt for excursions down the
names, OF which the middle and poorer classes
OF LondOnels are very fond. She had a saloon
carrying capacity unusually large. large pro-
portlOn OF the passengers were on the upper
loon deck, aud must have seen beforehand their
Impending doom, but those on the stern had no
warning until they heard the crash and found
passengers from the forward part running to the
after part,
Beyond the fact that the tide about two
hours ebb which would enable the Princess Alice
10 ease and stop sooner thaH the screw steamer,
which would be borne on the tide, II is impossible
to discover any of the circumstances Immediately
preceding he collision. Before the boats came IN
collision there were cries from to the other TO
Keep out oil the way, but As usual the accident
probably done by Misunderstanding or mistake of
The intention o the other all rules OF sailing were
cast TO the winds IN the moment OF peri, each tax
ing wrong course 10 avoid the Others blunders.
The cause of the Princess Alice disaster is be-
leved to be that both vessels were rounding a
sharp bend III the rver, caused by the projection
OF point Of land whereon the powder mag azlne
point the Princess Alice had crossed over to the
right bauk, and was thus out OF her proper course
Her lights were probably obscured by the shadow
OF the powder migaz Inc, and beng much smaller
and lower than tue By well Castle, the latter was
upon her before the danger Was perceived.