Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1880-07-01
THE SOUND COLLISION.
Incidents of the Terrible Disaster From
the Lips of an Eye Witness.


was commanded by Captain j. A. Ans
bury, Of No. 66 South street, this city
who WAS a passenger. As far as coul
observe Or ascertain the captain Of neithe
boat did not give a single order tendin
to relieve the imperiled passengers. Wha
was done in this direction was done main
| ly by the passengers themselves. TIL
rescued passengers from both boats whom
| cav were severe in their criticism Of tn
conduct of the officers of both boats W
L. Mudgett, of Searsport, Me-, who was Oh
the Nauagansett, distinguished himsel
for heroiSm. He took life preserver from
| his body and tied it around Mrs. Charlie
Gourudier, of North AttleborO, Mass, tn
lady meanwhile begging him to keep
for his own safety. Mrs. Gourdier told nj
that her husband was refused life.pre
server by the captain of the Narragansett
who said, in reply to request for one
that it was the only one ot hand, and ht
wanted 1t for his own salvation.
In the meantime all the boats from the
Stonington, save one, which was reserved
in case an emergency should arise requir'
ing its use by us, were manned, and made
repeated trips to the scene of the burning
vessel to rescue those passengers who were
constantly leapmg into the water. During
this time the Naragansett had settled
down and grounded, the saloon deck be.
ing about three feet under water, and the
flames were spreading rapidly toward
either end. We were making some water.
Our pumps were able to keep us aaoat,
with the help of the tightening of the bow,
which we obtained by throwing overheard
a part Of the cargo. The Stonington was
slowly drifting away, and we were now
1000 feet off, in a strong current. We
were in less imminent danger, but the
sight Of that burning steamer, which we
were compelled to witness, struck terror to
the stoutest heart.
Althogh am a good swimmer, the
water was so cold that became benumb.
ed in a few minutes, and would not have
given three cents for my life. regretted
not keeping my life prcservcrs, but box
came floating by, and, although it had
neither top nor bottom, it did me some
service. Just then fell in with an Italian
floating on four chairs lashcd together.
He also had Il violin box and life
prGserver. Irested one ofmy hands on his
raft, clinging to my box with the other.
He could not sink, but as he did not know
how to swim he allowed his head to fall
back in the waiter, and there he lay
gurgling and guzzling as the little waves
rolled over bin. Meanwhile boats and
rafts had been launched iromheNaragan.
sett and the Stonington, and could hear
shouts from the searchers. Red lights had
appeared and began to have hope. But
| could hear cries for help all around me.
A voice close by me would starte me with
ITS distinctncss, but IN moment it would
drift from me and become fainter and
fainter, and at last die away like an echo
| could hear shrieks; ooh, save my child
my child! my child!" then silence came
with shrek and gurglc. One man was
with me fully ten minutes with child in
his hands. He held the little fellow high
above his head while he tread the water.
"Kccp still my brave boy; hold up your
head" be said, then dri!tcd away. Il
have seen many terrible sights. was in
s storm on the Pacific when the passengers
were on their knees and we expected to 90
to the bottom every moment as the waves
swep. clear over the deck; but | never
saw anything like this scene around the
burning boat.
Henry l.. Higgins, Of West Eden, Me-, |
one of the Narragansett's passengers, had
a rather sensational experience 81 had
no state room,' said he, "and stretched
myself on bench, without removing my |
clothes. had hoped to get nap, but / |
was only DOING when the collision occur
red. was startled enough, | can tell |
you. All silence one moment, with moth.
ing audible aboard but the dull breathing |
of the boiler, and the next a crash like the |
thunder Of n dozen cannon. EVERYTHING |
keelCd over at that Jolt. For myself, | |
was pitched on the floor, and it was no |
easy matter to gather my senses. The
lights had all gone out, and, as | strug-
gled to my feet, there was nothing but
darkness al around me. 1t was horrible, |
though, for it was filed with cries and |
shricbs. | heard some persons making |
for the deck, and | scrambled out along |
with them. Every one was frantic with
Hurried footsteps shorts
balloonp and shrieks were heard ON every
side. Not a soul was in any wav com. |
posed, or seemed to pause for reflection. |
it was a wild tumult, reckless scramble
for life. The fog was thick, but off in it |
I saw the lights Of the Stonington becom. |
ing DINNER moment bv moment. as she |
backed away, Those | had come IN with
made for the water at once. believing the |
boat was about to sink. | plunged in |
after them. 1t was a terrible situation
there in the gloom, with proans and death
cries sounding in ones ears. and the
splashinp and struggling of despairin9 |
nnople whose lives were SHINING away
rising on eyery side. Just before me rs |
rose was n man with hIs VITA and child |
Tbev had a Iife.preseryer and he was
manfully 10 sustain the woman
and i6e LITTLE one as I came mn. Inf he was
falling, and | stopped to helm him os |
heard a boat little way off coming in our
direction. It came ont Of The darkness
but Il was crowded and the
,,rotor was RISING almost IN ihc onnwoIo