The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-07

Halifax, N. s., July Elm one of the
thick fogs which, at this time of the
year hang like pail over the Grand
banks and Sable island, in the North
Atlantic, occurred, on the early morn
ing of July 4. one of the most appalling
ocean disasters in the annals of the
transatlantic commerce, and, in fact,
in the history of steam sailing of the
world.--AImost---s -ssithe,st--a- moment 8
warning the French liner La Bourgogne.
with 725 souls on board, was run down
by the iron sailing ship Cromartyshire
and sank within half an hour, carrying
with her to the oceans bottom over $50
of her passengers and crew, while the
balance who were not drowned by the
fearful suction, struggled and fought
for life, until 163 were at length rescued
by the crew of the Cromartyshire, which
ship survived the collision.
The story of the fearful disaster from
the few officers and members of the crew
who were saved is yet to be told, but
if the words of the passengers who were
dragged aboard the Cromartyshire and
later brought into this port by the
steamer Grecian are to be believed, the
last few minutes on board the La Bour-
gogne Witnessed some of the most ter
rible scenes of horror and cruelty that
have blotted the history of q civilized
race.
Instead of the heroic discipline which
so often has been the one bright fea-
ture of such awful moments, the crew
fought like demons for the few life
boats and RATS, battering the helpless
passengers away from their only means
of salvation, with the result that the
strong overcame the weak, for the list
of 163 saves contains the name of but
one woman. The disaster occurred at
o'clock in the morning on Monday,
July q about go miles South of Sable
island, which lies nearly a hundred
miles off this port. The Bourgogne had
left New York bound for Havre on the
previous Saturday, while the Cro-
martyshire was on it's way over from
Glasgow with a crew of 21 men.
Although the transatlantic steam
ships have definite course, the Bour-
gogne was. by all accounts, 40 miles or
more to the north of these lines. The
fog was very dense and the Cromarty-
shire was sailing along with reduced
canvas and blowing the fog horn. Sud-
denly out of the fog rushed a great
steamer. and in a moment there was a
fearful crash, the iron PROV of the ship
plunging into the port side of the steam
er just under the bridge. The shock was
terrific and tore a tremendous hole in
the steamer while the entire bow of the
ship was demolished. The steamer
plunged on into the fog again. her whis-
tie crying for help and her rockets sig
mailing her distress.
The Cromartyshire was rounded to
considerably relieved in finding that she
was in no danger of sinking. of to the
eastward could be heard the hoarse call
of the steamer, and as the fog began to
lift all the boats on the ship were
launched. Half an hour after the col
lision the misty curtain went up, giving
a clear view for miles, and then il was
that those on the Cromartyshire realized
the fearful struggle for life on board
the Bourgogne. The collision had come
so suddenly and at such a time in the
morning that few besides her crew were
on deck, but the shock reused nearly
everyone and within a few minutes the
decks were crowded.
Fought for the Boats.
At first il seemed as If there was some
attempt at discipline. A few Of the
boats were swung of and some Of the