Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-07-06
OH SIRE Rress.
LAUNCHED TO DEATH.
The New Steamer Daphne Rushes
to the Bottom Of the Clyde.
Carrying with it Beneath the Sur
face Over Fifty Souls.
a TOO Rapid Descent and Strong Cur
rent Make the TOp-hcRvy vessel
CapslZe.

4 TOO Rapid Descent and Strong Cur
rent Make the Top-hcavy Vessel
CapsiZe.
GLASGOW July 3.--The new steamer Daph-
ne was being launched this afternoon in the
Clyde river There was great crowd both
In the dockyard and on the opposite bank to
see tue launching, and the rigging of all the
craft in the immediate neighborhood was
pretty we'll pcoplcd. The steamer left her
ways at a very fast rate, and when she gained
the water she rolled from side to side. The
persons on board, fearing that she would cap
size, ran to and fro. The vessel finally reeled
over and nearly disappeared beneath the wa
ter. Those who had maintained their posi-
tons on the portion of the steamer not sub
merged did the utmost 10 vethose who were
cast overheard. AT the same time boats has
tily pulled TO the rescue aud to assist in the
work of rescung, and succeeded In saving
quite number. 1t is known, however, that
there were so persons below in the Daphne
when the vessel went over and they must all
have been drowned.
or. M.-Anober dispatch from Glasgow
says that the cause of the capsziDg was that
she had too much top weight. Steamers are
dragging the water at the location of the ac-
cidtnt for the bodies of the victims. Several
people who were taken from the water alive
were so exhausted that 1t was necessary to
remove them to an iniirmary. The steamer
is now under water with the fifty before men
toned on board.
The Daphne turned upside down before
she sank. An eye witness saw great mum.
Der of men struggling in the water and
slriekng for help. Many were bruised and
covered with blood having been struck by
the debris. The accounts of the number OF
persons on board and the number of persons
lost vary widely. Several bodies have
been found at the loot OF the ways and di-
vers are searching for bodies.
Ffty-two names are published as those OF
missing persons AS visitors were admitted
to view the launch it is believed that some
of them whose names are unknown are
among the missing. Many dead bodies are
visible through the port holes Of the ship.
There was a rapid ebb tide and il is feared
that many bodies were carried out to sea.
There was large number of boys on board.
The foreman joiner, who had charge of 90
woikmen, says he has seen only three since
the accident. The passage by the sunken
ship is unmpeded for small vessels, but dan
gerous for large steamers.
~ DulnUeT Vi Incu On lnc OppOslle slue vi
the river witnessed the disaster but were un-
able TO render assistance. They say the
whole occupied about three minutes. They
Immediately set to work to help the people
struggling in the water. Some of the men
on the Daphne jumped overheard and Others
were thrown overheard. A quantity of loose
fittings fell from the deck and crushed many
struggling in the water. A number OF
swimmers were visible directly after the
ship capsized, but many of them were after
ward seen to sink. Six men were
seen cliDging together. Four endeavored to
climb upon the steamer as she was sinking,
but were forced TO desist by the rush Of steam
from her port hole. Some climbed upon the
keel just before the ship 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 the 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.
A late report from the scene of the disaster
states that seven bodies have been identified
A diver states that the companion way of
the Daphne is blocked up by solid mass
of bodies. 1t appears that the men who were
at work below when the ship,went over rushed
from their work and became jammed in
the passage. way. Some of the bodies still
have tools in their hands. The diver thinks
there are still in the vessel at least as many
corpses as have already been recovered.
Forty-onc bodies had been found tonight
when darkness stopped the search. Divers
say they felt many more bodies.