The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-05-15
A rERnrBLr DISASTER.
Hc&sttNndipg Scenes = n J3oari the "EI
idn"--0yer n Hundred People Drowned

ealts - = ~s@sASAssttAN A(19fAoIEN.
HoSfttsndipg scenes m Hoard the "EIor-,
ida"-oyer Hundred People Drowned.
MONTREAL; May 8.-The steamer
Iitania arrived here at 5 p. m. to. .dav.
a large number of persons had met at
the Wharf to witness the landing of
the shipWrecked crew and passengers
OF the "State of Florida" AS soon
as the Jitania was moored to the wharf
she was boarded by the custom house
oficers, American consul and repro-
sent9tives of the press. Shortly after
wards tho crew and passengers of tho
wrecked steamer came ashore in CHARGE
OF the agent of the Star Line, who had
secured accommodations for them ot
the Albion Hote'. The first person
seen was j. ID. Bennett, of London.
Ontario, the only first class passenger
saved. AT the time Of tho accident he
was III the surgeons cabin and had n
very narrow escape from being killed.
when the "Ponema" came crushinT
into the estate of Florida" amidshins'
One man Of the "Ponema" went mad
trom exposure and want of water and
dled III the boat before the captain and
two other sailors were rescued. The
captain of the "Florida" awakened tho
passengers and told them they must
take to the boat instantly; but it an
pears he made no effort to devise q
plan by which the passengers could
get into the boats. At the time of the
colllslon the captain was in his cabin.
Hc rushed on the deck in his night
dress and assumed command. When
the Doats pushed away from the shin
ana the plunge preparatory to sinking
TOOK place the most heartrending cries
ana appeals for help were heard until
the final plunge was mado. Bennett
saw one boat hanging by one dayit.
He heard that it was not considcrcd n
safe boat, and that the ropes were cut
In order to hinder any one from usino
it. Walter King, of Toronto, occupieS
the same cabin as Bennett, and whom
the ship was about going down. como
to him as said, "For Gods sake. Ben
nett, stay by me. [ am NOT able to
SWIM" King and Bennett oot into
one OF the boats, the lashing Of which
were cut at one end and threw all of
the occupants into the sea. Thirty
persons might have been saved but for
thls mshap: Only seven were picked
up all night. They could hear the
people groaning and struggling under.
meath the boat TO which they were
chnging and rs many Of those on top
had lost friends and brothers, their
Feelings can be better imagined than
described. Toward morning the noise
ceased, and they came to the conclu-
sion that their companions had sue.
when then they were res
cued they broke through the bottom
of the boat with the oars and a horri-
bic sight met their eyes. Eight bodies
were floating there, while man named
Donaldson was still alive, although
unconscious from the effects of the
long imprisonment. Bennett saws the
conduct of the captain of the "City of
tome' was shameful, as that steamer
passed within half mile from them
and might easily have hove to for q
snort time and taken them all Off the
bark. On being asked to explain why
SO 1cW passengers were saved, he said
1t was all their own fault, when il is
remembered that within fifteen min
utes after the collision the steamer
went down.
1t will be seen that the suddcnncss
Of the catastrophe prevented any being
saved, except those who kept their
wits about them and lcapcd into the
Ooats. Andrew N. Steele, surgeon
of Montreal, has made statement
similar to the above. lie says that
hlng got back to the steamer and
went down with her. He also saws
the captain blew three whistles when
inc vessel was sinking, and upon being
asked the reason for this, said he was
bidding those in the boat farewell, and
That he wanted to show that he was
sticking to his vessel until the last.
ihc boat that capsizcd contained three
Sanadians-Eddington, Bennett and
bcthunc: Bennett was the only one
saved. the crew cannot give any in
formation beyond that already re.
ported.