The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-11
DEATH LAUNCH.
Nearly One Hundred Persons Drown
ed

LONDON, July 3.-Intelligence has
reached here ola terrible calamity
during the launch of the steamship
Daphne at Glasgow to-day. While
being launched she fell over on her
side. precipitating number OF
people into the water,
Further particulars of the calami-
tv state that the Daphne, which was
constructed for the coasting trade, Is
a vessel of 500 tons burden; two hun
dred workmen were on board when
il capsized. The accident occurred
in the middle of the river Clyde,
after the launching. 1t is not ex-
actly known how many persons
were drowned, but it is feared the
number will reach over one hun
dred.
A later dispatch from Glasgow
says the Daphne capsized near Den
frew, FIVE. miles from Glasgow.
Traffic on the Clyde is suspended,
owing to the interruption to naviga-
ton caused by the capsized steam
er.
LATER PARTICULARS.
The Daphne left the ways at a
very fast rate and when she gained
the water she rolled from side to
sipe. Persons on board, fearing she
would capsize, ran to and fro. The
vessel finally reeled over, and nearly
disappeared beneath the water.
Those who had maintained their
positions on a portion ofthe steamer
not submerged did their utmost to
save those who were cast overheard.
At the same time boats hastily
pulled to assist in the work of rescu-
ing the unfortunate people, and
succeeded in saving quite number.
1t is known, however, there were
.fifty persons below in the Daphne
when the vessel went over, and they
must all have been drowned. A
crowd OF grief stricken relatives OF
the victims flocked to the scene OF
the calamity.
Another dispatch from Glasgow
SAYS the cause of her capsizing was
she had too much top weight. The
steamers are dragging the water tor
the bodies of the victims. Several Of
the people who were taken from the
water alive were so exhausted that
it was necessary to remove them to
an infrmary. The steamer is now
under water, with fifty bodies before
mentioned on her.
The Daphne turned upside down
before she sank. An eye-witnes:
said great number of ulen were
struggling in the water and shrieking
for help. Many were bruised anC
covered with blood, having beer
struck by the debris. Accounts o
the number of persons on board anC
the number lost continue to vary
widely. Divers are in search OF th'
bodies.
Fify-two names are published a
those of missing persons. As visit
ors were admitted to view the launcl
1T is believed some of them, name
unknown, are among the missing
Many dead bodies are visible through
the port holes of the ship. 1t wa
rapid ebb tide, and it is feared man,
bodies were carried out to sea. Th
foreman joiner, who had charge Q
twenty workmen, saws he has seel
only three of his men since tn
accident.
EYE-wITNEssEs OF THE SCENE.
A number of fmen at the ship var
on the opposite side of the river, VIII
witnessed the disaster, but who wer
unable to render any assistance a
the time, say the whole thing occur
red in about three minutes. The
Immediately set to work to help tn
people struggling in the water. The
saw some men on the Daphne jun
: overheard and others were throw
: overheard that quantity of loos
fittings fell from the deck and crust
ed many unfortunates struggling
the water. A number of swimmer
, were visible directly after the shi
capsized, but many of them wei
I afterward seen to sink. Six me
l were seen clnging together. fot
J endeavored to climb upon the steam
1 er as she was sinking, but WEI
e forced TO desist by the rush OF steal
: from the port holes. Some climbe
I upon the keel Just before the shi
J; was submerged. According to stat
4 ments of witnesses and survivors
:, the disaster, the vessel left the sli
e too rapidly, causing her stern, whiC
: entered first, TO sink deeply in Il
! water. She was then caught by Il
II strong current of the river, by whiC
e as well as by her top weight, she W;
/ caused to keel over so far that wat
S entered her ports.
n RECOVERING THE BODIES.
n The last report from the scene
e the disaster states seven bodies ha'
d been Identified. A diver states th
e the companion way OF the Daphr
O is blocked up by a solid mass
s bodies, one upon another. 1t a
i pears the men who were at wol
e below when the ship went ov
S rushed from their work and becan
s jammed in the passageway. Son
e bodies still have tools in the
V hands. The divers think there a
}. still in the vessel at least as mal
e corpses as have already been reco
Il cred. Forty-one bodies had be,
found last night when darkne
stopped the search. The divers s;
they felt many more bodies.