Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-18
LOSS OF THE UTOPIA
Nearly 600 Persons Drowned in
Last Nights Disaster.
BURNED 10 DEATH IN A TENEMENT
Chicago Italians Worked Up Over
the New Orleans Tragedy.
MR.. MACQUEARYS SENTENCE
NEARLY coo LIVES LOST.

The Casualties of the Disaster Near Gibraltar
Greater Than First Reported.
Special Cable Dispatch to The Evening Star
GIBRALTAR, March ls.-The British man-of-
war with which the Anchor line steamer Utopia
collided last evening was the flag ship Anson
Of the channel squadron, Rear Admiral Lotus
+. Jones, and not the Rodney, as ut first re-
ported. The ram Of the Anson tore hole
thirty feet long in the side of the Utopia, near
the stern, the vessel sinking within ten minutes,
going down stern first, the funnel aud masts
showing just above the water. heavy
southwesterly gale was blowing at the
time. and the tremendous seas washed every
thing movable overheard. The boats of the
British squadron were Immediately lowered,
the launch Of the Immortalite being wrecked
and several sailors drowned while on their way.
Great aid WAS derived from the use of the elec-
trio lights with which the neet is provided.
The scene OF the wreck was thus fully illumined
and many were saved who would otherwise have
been drowned in the confusion and darkness.
The boats of the squadron were engaged all
night in cruising about, picking up bodies and
rescuing survivors. As to the number Of lives
lost il is too soon to make an accurate estimate.
There is said TO have been $50 passengers aboard,
OF whom SO are reported lost. Even the most
moderate estimates admit that two-thirds of the
entire number were drowned. The bodies of
men, women and children already being
washed ashore on the Spanish coast. Among
those saved are Capt Mckenzie, the doctor
and the steward.
The agents of the Anchor line have received
the following telegram:
''GIBRALTAR. March 1S.-The Utopia struck
| abaft the engine room, the stern sinking inside
| OF five minutes in seven fathoms of water. Ii
Is difhcult to ascertain exact number. but $50
Italians are known TO be saved, while eight
corpses of the same nationality have been
| found. There are I73 survivors ON board the
| men-of-war in the roadstead. but on account OF
the heavy gale now prevailing it is impossible to
obtain names"
THE GALE ABATISa.
| About ninety bodies have now (5 D. m.) been
recovered, while the saved include the third
officer and New York saloon passenger. The
Utopia lies quarter of a mile from shore and
| 800 yards to the north of the new mole head
The gals has abated and the weather is now
calm.
| MANY DEEDS OF HERoIsM.
| When the Utopia sank alarm guns were i'm.
mediatety fired and boats from various steam
barges were at once lowered and six electric
search lights were kept playing continuously
about the wreck. Up to the present time q d
m.) 33l have been saved, while 80 corpses have
| been picked up. Several sailors of the feet are
4 missuiB. Much caring ana many deeds ol
heroism by the officers and men OF the channe
feet were witnessed. as also by the men of tn.
Swedish corvette Freega, commanded BY Prime,
Bernadotte. Capt Grey and the crew Of tn,
Eastern Telegraph Company cable ship Amber
also rendered valuable assistance. The author
titles are doing all in their power 10 relieve the
| shipwrecked passengers, having provided then
| with provisions. bedding. blankets and cloth
ing, good work in which citizens of all classe,
have joined, the latter showing the greates
sympathy. subscription for the benefit oi
the sufferers has been opened. One lady, q
| saloon passenger. has been saved, but the sec
ond officer and Charles G. Davis, also q saloor
1 passenger, are missing The divers of tbs
British iieet are already at work on board the
| wrecked vessel