The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-07-07
C0WARDLY MARINES.
Further Details of the Wreck of the
French Steamer in Which 562
Lives Were Lost.

Halifax, n. s.. July Tn one Of the
thick foGs which at this time of the
year hang like a pail over the Grand
Banks and Sable Island. in the North
Atlantic, occurred in the early morn
ing of July q one of the most appalling
ocean disasters inthe annals of trans
atlantic commerce, and in fact in the
history of steam sailing of the world,
Without a moments warning, almost,
the French liner La B~ourgogue, with
725 souls on board, was run down by
the British sailing ship Cromartyshire,
and such a terrific hole was torn in
the big steamers port side that she
sank within half an hour, carrying
with her to the oceans bottom nearly
900 of her passengers and crew, while
the balance who were not drawn down
by the fearful suction struggled and
fought for life until 1853 were at length
rescued from death by the crew Of the
Cromartyshire, which ship survived
the collision.
The story of the fearful disaster from
the few officers and crew who We're
ave- is yet to be told, but if the words
of the passengers who were dragged
ABOARD the Cromartyshlre and later
brought into this port by the steamer
Grecian are to be believed the last few
minutes on board the Bourgogne wit
messed some Of the most terrible scenes
of horror and cruelty tina have blotted
the history of a civilized race.
Instead of the heroic discipline which
so often has been the one bright fea-
ture of such awful moments. the crew
Of the steamer fought like lemons for
the few lifeboats and RATS, battering
the helpless passengers away from
their only means of salvation, with the
result hat the strong Overcame the
the weak, and the list of 1853 saved CON
tanned the name Of but one woman.
The disaster occurred 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 Cromartyshire was on her
way over to Glasgow, with a crew of
81 men. Although the transatlantic
ltdllltl > all IiNi q hNllllllt NbllS Sc lllt
Bourgogne was, to all accounts, 40
miles or more to the north of these
lanes.
ColIidcd in IA Fog.
The fog was very dense, and the bis
iron ship was sailing along with re
duced canvas and blowing the fog
horn. Suddenly out Q the fog rushed
a great steamer, and in a moment there
was a fearful crash, The iron PROV Of
the ship plunged into the port side of
the steamer just under the bridge. The
shock was terrific, and tore a tremen-
dous hole in the steamer while the en-
tire bow of the ship was demolished
The steamer plunged On into the fog
again, her whistle crying for help and
her rockets signaling her idre distress,
The Cromartyshirc was rounded to-,
and her master, Captain Henderson,
was considerably relieved in finding
that she was in no danger of sinking,
Off to the eastward could be heard the
hoarse call of the steamer, n as the
fog began 10 lift all The boats on the
ship We're launched, Half an hou after
the collision occurred the misty cur
tain went up, giving a clear view for
miles, and then it WIS that those on the
CrOmarlyShlle ieallHeQ n iearIul
struggle for life. On board the Bour-
gogne the collision had come so sudden
and at such a time in the morning that
few besides the crew were on deck, but
the shock reused nearly everyone, and
within a few minut the decks We're
crowded and the awful struggle for life
began. Thos rescued We're picked up
by the boats Of the Cromartyshire,
which put back as soon as possible.
Along in the afternoon the steamer
! Grecian was ST. hted coming from the