Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-06
COLLISION On the ono.
Steamer Scioto celIides With . Yes
eel aad Sinks il Is Feet
Of Water.
Manv Lives Lest Heatrending Scenes About
the Doomed Scioto.


WrSco JUNCTION. O., July 5.
Steamer Sciota, with about 500 passengers,
collided with vessel in the river, Last night,
sinking in fifteen feet of water. only the pilot
house being visible. The excursion party
is arriving here, but the passengers are 20
much exhausted that it is impossible to give
any details.
1t is impossible to get any definite infor-
nation as to the number lost. though first
accounts put it at 100 One survivor says
the Scioto was coming up river under full
head of steam, and when about half q mile
from Mingo, just as the John Tomas was
sighted coming down, the pilot of the Sciota
whistled for the channel, but owing to
misunderstanding both boats took the same
side, the Tomas striking the Scioto and sink
ing her in three minutes from the collision.
The scenes on the SciotO were heartrending
and life struggles frightful to behold. The
Tomas was only slightly disabled and went
to work to save those on the Sci0tO. This
task was rendered easier by the light of the
moon and SO many lives were saved for this
reason. 1t is now believed the first reports
were exaggerated and that the loss of life will
not exceed twenty.
Arthur McNeeIey, who lives at Cross
Greek, was an eve witness, standing opp0-
site where the collision occurred. 1t was
about 8 o'clock. Neither steamer appeared
to sheer off and almost Immediately the col
lision occurred. He says general confusion
followed and I saw people jumping from the
hurricane deck and all parts of the steamer.
The Tomas struck the Scioto forward of the
flue over the bow. The Scioto sunk almost
instantly and the Lomas backed up at once,
ran to the Ohio shore and landed her pas
sengers, then returned to the wreck. The
crew and officers of the Tomas then ex-
ercised every effort to rescue the unfortunate
passengers and succeeded in landing over
400, making several trips and continuing to
work as long as there were any who desired
to leave.
As soon as saw the accident jumped in
to my skiff and started for the wreck. When
got there l got five within distance of
twenty feet, and there were two other skiffs
below me picking them up, but don't know
how many they got. They were hallooing
and there appeared to be great many in the
water, but it was too dark for me to tell the
number. took the parties rescued to the
Ohio side, and by that time the Lomas had
landed her party and returned to the wreck.
Three woman were carried ashore and died
after being rescued. Two little boys and
the assistant engineer of the Sciota were
rescued and stopped at Coxs. The assistant
| engineer told me he thought many lives must
have been lost, as the lower decks were
crowded and the boat sunk Immediately.
The bodies of eleven victims Of the steam
boat disaster have been recovered and it now
| looks as though % or so bodies be found.
The Inflated party seemed equally divided as
TO sex but thus far the bodies of only three
ladies have been found.
STEUBENvILLE, o., July 5.
Fourteen bodies have been recovered.
Forty other persons are known to be missing.
The work of hunting for the dead is still in
progress. The coroner of Jefferson county
will commence an inquest on the bodies to-
morrow. The investigation by the govern
ment inspectors will take place at Wheeling.