The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-02-19
ERICSSON SUNK,
THE NEW CANAL " STEAMER
CAPSIZES.
After Passing Through the Canal She
Encounters a Gale in the Della
ware-All the Crew and
Passengers Saved.

The passenger steamer Ericsson, of the
pany which phys through the Chesapeake and
Delaware Canal, this county. the locks
being at Chesapeake City, capsized in the
Delaware River, just off the mouth Of the
Christiana creek, early Wednesday morning
The 60 passengers and crew vera taken
off by the Wilmington and Northern Railroad
tug Laura b., of Bridgeton, and landed at
Philadelphia, at noon Wednesday.
The Steamer Ericsson left Baltimore, Tues
day afternoon. at ) O'Clock. in command of
Captain John ". Grace. In addition to the
passengers she carried large quantity of
freight. All went well until she left the canal
ut Delaware City and entered the Delaware
river when signs of an approaching gale
were detected. AS the vessel proceeded the
gale increased in fury until at length orders
were issued to slow down on account of the
high seas which swept continually over the
decks. The steamer, however, kept on beat
ing her way against the wind, which had by
this time increased to velocity of forty miles
an hour. The passengers, one by one. were
awakened by the noise of the storm and made
their way on deck. As the boat neared Will
mington the fuI! force Of the gale was felt
and the way in which the vessel careened
alarmed the passengers so that regular
panic ensued. Her upper decks presented IL
broad surface to the fury of the waves and to
this and her light draught were due the rea.
SOILS Of the vessel being tossed about in tho
manner she was.
As the gale Increased the vessel shook from
stem to stern, and the panic pas
sengers rushed about crying and shouting
that the boat was going over. The officers
and men did all in their power to quiet them
and had partly succeeded before the mouth
OF the Christinna was reached. At this point
the gale appeared to increase in intensity,
and the vessel rocked in an alarming fash
ion. The passengers became aware of an
unsteady settling motion followed by sounds
of the keel grating against the rivers bottom,
and when this was observed the widest con-
fusion prevailed. The men in the pilot house
did all in their power to right the vessel but
it was useless.
tion was turned to the passengers. 1t was
impossible TO make them heed the warming
OF the captain, their only thought being to
get as far away from the lower deck as nos
sible. They rushed to the upper deck, grasp
ing what clothing they could reach in their
flight, and there they remained shivering il
the cold until taken off by the tug.
Orders were given the watch to awaken the
sleeping men in the hunks and state rooms,
and when all were above deck the Captain,
assisted by the mates ordered everyone on
the forward deck. This. it is claimed, only
served to make the boat top-heavy and under
the force of the gale she slowly listed TO one
side. Tons of water began pouring through
the hatchway, the fires in the boilers
being put out.
Her lower deck was covered with water,
and she gradually continued to sink until
she landed on a shoal in Is feet of water.
Distress signals were displayed and socn
after the tug Laura B.. commanded by Cap
tain Sparks, hove in sight and went to the
assistance of the imperiled passengers.
The transfer of :he passengers, many of
whom were colored, to the tug, was made
with considerable difficulty.
All their belongings were left on the sunken
steamer, and it was pitable sight to see a
number Of them with nothing but blankets
pinned about them huddled together on the
wharf unable to proceed for want of proper
wearing apparel.
The steamer Ericsson is n new boat, having
been launched from the Nealle & Levy yards
on June - last. She is considered one OF the
best boats in her class sailing from this port
and is fitted up handsomely.