The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-03-19

saloon passengers, is among those who are
reported as missing.
FULL AND AUTHENTIC REPORT.
Latest Particulars Of the utopla's
Disaster.
GIBRALTAR, March 1S.-[5.00 p. m.l-lt
has not been possible till now to give full
and authentic account Of last nights appall-
ing catastrophe. Early last evening the Uto-
pia was seen steaming into the bay In the d.
rection Of her anchorage, and when abreast
of the ironclad Anson the Utopia staggered.
as though unable to make headway against
the terrible current. Suddenly strong gale
combined with the current and swept the ill
fated vessel across the bow of the Anson.
In a moment her hull was pierced and cut by
the ram of the ironclad. The Utopia, after
getting clear of the ironclad, drifted about
before the wind and sea. A rapid thrush OF
water through the rent In her side caused
her to settle down in five minutes from the
time of the first impact.
The Anson's boats were lowered immedi-
ately. as were also boats from other vessels
of the British channel squadron, the Swed-
ish Man-of-war Freya, and the cable ship
Amber. The ironclads turned their power
full electric search lights on the scene OF the
disaster to assist the rescuers. On shore the
news Of the disaster spread quickly. and
enormous crowds soon gathered on the Pa
rade: Great excitement prevailed. Little
could be seen save the looming hulls OF the
men-of-war and the white rays OF the search
lights falling upon the foaming crests of the
waves and Illuminating the driving spindrift
The shrieks of the Utopia's passengers
and crew could be plainly heard above the
roaring OF the gale. The sea was SO heavy
that the boats Of the rescuers could not with
safety approach the wreck, SO they were COM
PEELED to lie to the leeward. where they
picked the people up as they were swept
from the decks. As the Ut0pia's bow settled
terrible scene was witnessed from the
boats. Those still on board the sinking
steamer made a sudden rush en- masse to the
fore rigging. struggling for their lives and
vaiDly seeking places OF refuge. twenty
minutes later the f0recastle was submerged.
A large number of persons had gathered
there who had not dared to leap overheard,
In the hope OF being rescued by the boats.
who failed in their efforts to ascend the
rigging. They were carried away by the
waves. The rescuers, blinded by the wind
and rain, saw nothing bnt confused. strug-
Cling mass OF human beings entangled with
the wreckage. A steam pinnace rescued all
who had taken refuge in the main rigging.
The last ones were not taken OF until II
that they could do nothing for themselves,
so the brave blue jacks climbed into the rig
ging and passed the helpless people to the
rescuers in the boats. Both British and
Swedish sailors did plucky and vigorous
work. While the steam pinnace. belonging
to the British ironclad Immortallte. was en-
gagged in, the work OF rescue her screw
fouled and she became helpless and drifted
1.-THE rocks. In trying to save themselves
two sailors aboard the pinnace were
drowned. The remainder were rescued.
An officer Of the Utopia says that the en-
gines hal been slowed down and the current
seized the ship. The Italians on board COM
pletely lost their heads and dashed about
ing their wives aud children, being anxious
only for their own safety. There was an
explosion soon after the vessel began to sink
by which many were killed. Several men
tied themselves and their families together
hoping to be able to float until they could be
picked up. The majority of the Italians De-
naved more like frantic beasts than men.
The official report Of the number OF per-
| sons on board the Utopia shows that when
| she left Naples the steamship had $50 souls
| on board. including passengers and crew. vi
this number 81 were saved. Thus $50 OF her
| passengers and crew either are drowned or
| missing.
Statements of a Qusrtermaster.
Petersen, the Swedish quartermaster, who
had been steering the Utopia short time
before the collision. says just before the
vessels came together he went below, and
while there felt the shock Of the collision.
He rushed from below, but before he reached
the deck the Utopia had gone broadside on
upon the Anson's ram. The commander Oh
the Utopia, Captain McKeague, according TO
PETERSEN, was on the steamships prioge un-
til the last moment. Petersen adds that IS
he clambered up the davits OF one OF tue
steamships boats, and cut the ropes noiolns
it. He had no time to lower the boat away,
as the bow Of the Utopia had passed pe.
meath the warship, and it was evident tnat
Soon after, the boats of the Anson having
been promptly lowered, one OF the man1oa-
wars cutters ran alongside the Utopia fe-
tersen managed to jump into her. he says
while on board the Utopia, after tne coIis,
beings lighting their way desperately and
savagely. regardless OF sex OF age, sowanu s,sn,
the boats. Men, women ana chlidren tun),
bled and climbed over each otner ID tne mau
fight for chance TO escape iaoM uLUwninH; h VIZ =;
One poor woman who was rescued Dy one q
the Anson's hlue Jackets, went raving mad
when convinced that her children were
drowned. Similarly distressing incidents by
the score occurred when the Utopia, with
final Iasnerste lurch sank with her human
frei1bt Ga SeS ctinsing about her, and drew hun.
draSs ~ jivinc persons down with her In the
vortsx caused by the last plunge Many OF
those who had sprung INTO the sea when
tbev saw that the steamship could not foat
many minutes longer, were drawn down In
the wyhirlnool caused by the Utopia's disap-
naoranca Some came to the surface again
for a few moments before sinking finally In.
To their watery tomb. Others were able to
cling to nieces Of wreckage, floating spars
oars 9ratings, hatchways, boats, life belts,
ofn and KENT themselves above the water
until rescued by the warship's boats. As
usual In such cases. the weaker succumbed
more readily. Shrieking and praying WON,
an SANK To rise no more, with their terrified
off sprine clasped to their breasts. Children
cInn9 TO their parents so desperately as to
Guuns ~ sevorai W eases, cause the death of bott
~ ,nharo oh might have escaped had bette
en indgment % been used. Husbands and wives
sanS While grasping each other in frantic eff
sorts w heep themselves afioat. Many goot
swimmers went down with some horrified
Sear.maddened person clinging to them will
tSe tSs tenacity Of desperation.
THE NEWS IN NEW YORK.
rha Accident and a New Law Ma,
cause Inconvenience.
Npw YORK, March 1S.-The agents of tb
Ancbor line steamship company In this cit,
rocsived today the following facts about tn
| 30 IItOUl8.