The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-07-04
ONE HUNDRED DROWNED.
Fatal Launching on the River
Clyde.
The Steamer Daphne Capsizes and Bur.
les Her Entire Crew Be cath
the Waves.

LONDON, July 3.-Despatches from Glasgow
state that at the launch of the steamer Daphne
she fell over on her side, and sixty people were
drowned. Further particulars state that the
Daphne, which was constructed for the coast
ing trade, is a vessel of 800 tons burden. Two
hundred workmen were on board of her when
she capsized. The accident occurred in the
middle of the river Clyde, after launching. 1t
Is not yet exactly known how many persons
were drowned, but 1t Is feared that the num-
Der of victims will reach 100.
[sEcoND DEsPAToH
LONDON, July 2.-4.3o p. m-The following
particulars about the disaster to steamer Daph-
ne, have come to hand. The steamer left the
ways at very fast rate and when she gained
the water rolled from side to side. The per-
sons on board fearing she would cspsize, ran to
and fro. The vessel finally reeed over and
nearly disappeared beneath the water. Those
who had maintained positions ON the portion Of
the steamer not submerged, did their utmost to
save those who were cast overheard At the
same time boats hastily pulled to the rescue, to
assist In the work of saving the unfortunate
people, and succeeded In rescuing quite num-
Der OF persons. 1t is known, however, that
there were hity persons below In the Daphne,
when the vessel went over, and they must
have all been drowned. Crowds OF grief-strick-
en- relatives OF the victims were fiocking to the
scene OF the calamity. The cause Of the cap
sizing was that the Daphne had too much top
weight. Steamers are dragging the water at
the locality OF the accident for bodies. The
steamer Is now under water, with the fifty bod
les before mentioned on board.
GLASGOW. July 3.--Many OF the persons on
the Daphne, who were precipitated into the
water, swan TO shore.
LONDON, July 3.-The Daphne turned up
side down before she sunk. An eye witness
saw great number of men struggling in the
water, and shrieking for help. Many were
bruised and covered with blood having been
struck by the debris. The accounts OF the
number OF persons on board continue TO vary
widely. Several bodies have been found at the
foot OF the ways. Divers are searching for
other bodies.
Fifty-two names are published OF missing
persons As visitors were admitted to view
the launch, it is believed that some of those
whose names are at present unknown, are
ible through the port holes of the ship. There
was rapid ebb tide, and IL is feared many
bodies were carried to sea.
There was large number OF boys on board
The foreman joiner, who had charge of 20
workmen, says he has seen only three of his
sunken ship Is. .unimpeded for small vessels but
is dangerous for large Atlantic steamers.
A number of men at ship yard on the oppo-
site side OF the river, who witnessed the disas-
ter, but who were unable TO render any assist
ance at the time, say the whole occurrence oc-
cupied about three minutes. They Immediate
ly set to work to help the people
struggling in the water. They say
that some of the men on the Daphne jumped
overheard aud others were thrown overheard
that quantity of loose fittings fell from the
deck and crashed many of the unfortunates
who were struggling in the water. A number
OF swimmers were visible directly after the
ship capsized, but many OF them were after
wards seen to sink. Six men were seen cling
ing together. -Four endeayored to climb upon
the steamer as she was sinking bat was forced
to desist by the rush of steam from port hole.
Some climbed upon the keel just before the
steamer was submerged. According to the
statements OF witnesses and survivors of the
disaster the vessel left the slip too rapidly
causing her stern which entered first to sink
deeply in the water She was then caught by
strong current OF the river by which as well
as by her top weight she was caused TO keel
over so far that the water entered her ports.
The last report from the scene of disaster states
that seven bodies have been idensfied.