Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1884-05-09
The Captain of the Steamer City OF
Rome is Guilty of Shameful and
Inhuman Conduct,
While the Captain Of the Steamer
State of Florida is Commended
For His Bravery.
Condition and Affairs Of the Marine
National Bank of N. Y, as Con-
sidered by the N. Y. World.
Another Steamboat Disaster Off Rock
land, Maine-The Sharon Divorce
Case Becoming Interesting.
The Survivors.


The Survivors.
MONTREAL, May 8.-The steamer Titania ar
rived at O'Clock this evening. A large number
of persons gathered at the wharf to witness the
landing of the shipwrccked crew and passengers
of the State of Florida. As soon as the Titania
was moored to the wharf she was boarded by the
custom house officers, the American consul and
representatives of the press. Shortly afterwards
the crew and passengers of the wrecked steamer
came ashore in charge Of the agent "f the State
line, who had secured accommodations for them
at the Albion hotel. The first person seen was
Jas. r. Bennett, of London, Ontario. He said
he was in the surgeons cabin, and had q very
narrow escape from being crushed to death when
the Panama came crashing into the State of
florida amidships with an awful crash. One of
the crew of the Panama went mad from ex-
posure and want of water, and died in the boat
before the captain and two Others were picked
up The captain awakened the passengers and
told them to take to the boats instantly, but
it appears there was no effort to devise plan by
WHICH Gu0 paSS0ASSAS COulu SCo AAoO VA0 0OSoo'
At the time of the collision the captain was in
his cabin. He rushed on deck in his night
d4ees and assumed command. When the boats
pushed away from the ship, and the luages pre-
paratory to sinking took place, cries and appeals
for help were heard until the final plunge.
Bennett saw one boat hanging by one of the
davi ts. He heard it was not considered safe.
The boat and ropes were cut to hinder anyone
using it. Walter King, of Toronto, occupied the
same cabin as Bennett, and when the ship was
about going down he came to him and said {:
''For Gods sake, Bennett, stay by me, for am
not able to swim.'' Bennett & King then got
into one of the boats, the lashings of which were
cut at one end. throwing all the occupants into
the sea. Thirty might have been saved
but for this mishap. Only seven were picked
up. All night long they could hear
people groaning and struggling underneath the
boat, and az many of those on top had lost
friends and one brother, their feelings can be
better imagined than described. Towards
morning the noise ceased and the strugglers had
succumbed Those rescued broke through the
bottom Of the boat with the oars. and a horrible
sight their eyes. Eight bodies were floating
there, while a man named Donaldson was still
alive, although unconscious from the effects of
the long imprisonment. Bennett says the con-
duct of the captain of the City of Rome was
hameful, as the steamer passed not more than
half mile from them, and might easily have
heaved to for short time and taken them all
soft the bark. Being asked to explain why there
were so few passengers saved, he said it was all
their own fault, but when it is remembered that
within fifteen minutes after the vessels came in
collision, the steamer went down, it will be
seen that the suddenness of the catastrophe
prevented any being saved except those who
kept their wits about them and leaped into
the boats. Andrew N, Steele, resident of
Montreal. has made statement similar to that
of Bennett. He says King got back to the
steamer and went down with her. He ,lso says
the captain blew three whistles when the vessel
was sinking, and upon being asked the reason
for this, he said he was bidding those in that
boat farewell, and that he would show that he
was sticking to his vessel till the last. The
boat capsized contained three Canadians, Ed
ington Bennett and Bethune Bennett. Only
one was saved. The crew can't give any infor-
nation beyond that already reported.
Marine Bank.
NEW YORK, May 8.-From the World of Fri
day: The belief that the affairs of the Marine
Bank are not in as good condition as expected
is strengthened by the fact that White the bank
or should have his vault reserve of 81 800 900