The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-08-02
THIRTEEN LIVES LOST.
.ATERRIBLE COLLISION AT NIGHT.
The Missing are Believed to Have Been
Drowned.

The Baltimore papers OF Tuesday
morning contained full accounts of the
distressing loss of life resulting from a
collision between the Colchester steamer
Louise and the steamer Virginia of the
Bay Line which occurred on Monday
evening near Fort Carroll, about seven
miles below Baltimore.
The place where the accident occurred
is near the place where T. Harrison Gar
rett and the yacht Clean went down.
There is plenty of water there, and room
enough on both sides for vessels drawing
more water than either of the boats drew
to get along, with plenty of room in
between.
The scene on the Louise, as described
by some of the eye-witnesses, was an
awful one. The Louise was carrying
l ,450 passengers-much less than her
number allowed by law. She made her
regular trips morning and afternoon, and
took down the following associations,
besides regular eXcursionists who got
their tickets at the window on the wharf.
The were the Irwin Socials, Centennial
Lodge, No. 4. of the Shield of Honor,
and the Zion Reformed Church. The
day was rainy, but there was plenty Of
room on the inside for the eIcursionists.
When the afternoon boat arrived at
Colchester Beach the people disem barked.
At half past seven the excuIsionists were
called to the boat to start for home.
They all had good time at the beach
and were in humor for good time on
the boat. The Louise got under way and
as she is a fast boat. made good run
to the Knoll. The regular musicians
played some dance music, aud the young
folks danced round and square dances
until eight o'clock, when the musicians
went down to supper. The main saloon
was almost clear, and as there was but a
slight mist falling most all the people
down stairs sought the cool breeze on
the upper and lower decks, while others
strolled forward.
Suddenly there were two sharp, short
blasts on the steam whistle. Several
| people on board understood what that
meant, but others did not. Again the
blasts were given, this time longer and
louder than before. Then, as if in answer,
two whistles were heard from another
vessel, apparently, but short distance
| away. A few minutes later there was
rush, scarcely sound was heard. No
cries rent the air, until the crash came.
There was jolt, crushing, grinding
then sharp, quick orders and the sound
| of bells. The silence for half minute
was terrible. Then it was broken, and
mothers pleaded to God to save their
children, children strove to cling to their
mothers, and perfect panic occurred
The people rushed from the starboard
| side, the Louise keeled over on the port
side, and with another crash the bow OF
the steamer Virginia, which had been
driven into the Louise, was torn away,
followed by the falling of the guards rail
| MEETINGS, and, as some people say, bodies
| of number of people who were crushed
| by the collision.
| THE DEATH THAT FOLLOWED.
More people were injured in the panic
which followed the collision, and the
little boy, Daniel Kapp. was knocked
down and mashed to death. The people
were like mad, aud no efforts on the part
of the officers of the boat could reassure
them that the Louise was not sinking
| Life-preservers were torn from their
| fastenings and scattered about the place,
and many of those who secured them had
snatched from their hands By men and
| woman alike
The greatest wonder is that the steam
er did not sink and hundreds of people
drown; but, fortunately, the hole was
| stopped up with cushions, and the water
kept out. Captain Bohannan, of the
| Virginia asked if any assistance was
needed, but the tug Mamie was near at
hand, and a hawser was bent on the
| Louise and put out to her.