The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-03-21
57e LIVES LOST.
Collision of a Steamer with a British
ironcIad i'm the Bay of Gibralter.

GIBRALTAR, SPAIN March 1s.-The loss of life by |
the sinking of the Anchor Line steamer Utopia,
which collided yesterday on entering the bay here
with the British ironclad Arson, is much larger |
than at first estimated. The official report of the
number of persons on board the Utopia shows that
when she left Naples the steamship had $50 souls on
board, including passengers and crew. OF this
number only 800 have been saved. Thus, SIC of her
passengers and crew are either drowned missing.
Not until this afternoon has it been possible to
give full and authentic account of the appalling
catastrophe the failing light making it difficult last
night to see from the shore what was going on at
the scene of the disaster, and the terrible gale max
ing it almost impossible TO communicate with the
vessels until late hour today. Early last evening
the Utopia was seen steaming Into the bay in the
direction of the anchorage When abreast of the
ironclad Arson, the Utopia staggered, as though
unable to make Roadway against the terrible cur
rent. Suddenly the strong gale, combined with the
current swept the Inflated steamer the bows
of the Arson, and in moment her hull was pierced
and cut by the ram of the ironclad. The Utopia,
after pulling clear of the ironclad drfted about
| before wind and sea-
The rapid thrush of water through the rent in her
side caused her settle down in five minutes from
the time of the frstimpact. The Ansons boats were
| lowered Immediately as were also boats from the
other vessels of the British Channel Squadron the
swedish man of.war Freya and the cable ship Am
Der and the roncads turned their powerful electric
search lights the of the disaster to assist the
rcscuers. on shore the of the disaster spread
| quickly. An enormous crowd soon gathered on the
| Parade, and great excitement prevailed. Little
could be seen, however save the looming bulls of
| the men-of-war, and the white rays of the search
| lights falling upon the foam hecked cress of the
waves and illuminating the driving sPindrift. The
shreks of the Utopas passengers and crew could be
plainly heard above the roaring of the gale.
The sea was so heavy that the boats ofthe rescuers
| could not with safety approach the wreck, so they
were compelled to lie to leeward, where they picked
i up the people as they were swept from the decks
! AS the Utopias bows settled a terrible scene was
witnessed from the boats. Those still on board the
sinking steamer made sudden rush Ell masse to
the forerigging struggling for their lives and yainly
seeking places of refuge. Twenty minutes later the
| forecaste was submerged, and large number of
persons gathered there who had not dared to leap
overheard with the hope of being rescued by the
boats and who had failed in their efforts to ascend
| the rigging were carried away by the waves. The
rescuers, blinded by the wind and rain, nothing
but confused, struggling mass of human beings
entanged with wreckage.
A steam pinnace rescued all those who had taken
refuge in the main rigging but the last ones were
not taken off until II O'Clock at night. They were
SO exhausted that they could do nothing for them
selves. so it was necessary to haul them into the
boats by the brave blue jackets in the rigging who
eambered into the shrouds and passed the helpless
people to the rescuers in the beats. Both the British
and the Swedish sailors did plucky and vigorous
work. While steam pinnace belonging to the
British ironcad Immoralie engaged in the
work of rescue her screw foued, and she became
helpless and drited the rocks. In trying to save
themselves two of the sailors aboard the plnnaee
were drowned. The remainder were rescued.
Divers are at work recovering bodies from the
wreck.