The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-07
LOST WITH 500 LIVES.
French Liner La BOurgOgn8
Sunk in Collision.
FIENDISH FIGHT FOR LIFE.
Italians Plunge Knives Into Women
and Children.
CREW COWARDLY Ours.
Passengers Beaten Back on Deck
and Drowned When in Water.

Halifax. N. s. July 6.-The French
steamer La BOurgogne of the Compagnie
Generate Trans-Atlantique Line, with 725
souls on board, was run down by the iron
sailing ship Cromartyshire sixty miles
south of Sable Island during the early
morning Of July and sunk within half
an hour, carrying with her over 500 of
her passengers and crew.
The balance, who were not drawn down
by the fearful suction, struggled and
fought for life until 1853 We're at length
rescued from death by the crew of the
Cromartyshire, which ship survived the
collision.
A thick fog prevailed at the time of
the disaster.
The story of the fearful accident from
the few officers and crew who were saved
is yet to be told, but if the words of the
passengers who We're dragged aboard the
Cromartyshire, and later brought into this
port by the steamer Grecian, are to be be-
lieved, the last few minutes on board the
La Boursogne witnessed some of the most
terrible scenes of horror and cruelty that
have blotted the history of a civilized race.
Instead of the discipline which so often
has been the one bright feature Of such
awful moments, the crew of the steamer
fought like demons for the few life boats
and rafts, battering the helpless passen-
gers away from their only means of sal
walton, with the result that the strong
overcame the weak, and the list of 1863
saved contained the name of but one
woman.
The Bourgogne had left New York bound
for Havre on Saturday, July 2, while the
Cromariyshlre was on her way over from
Glasgow with crew of twenty-one men.
Although the transatlantic steamers all
have definite course, the Bourgogne was
to all accounts forty miles or more to the
north Of these lapes.
The fog was very dense and the big iron
ship was sailing along with reduced can
vas and blowing the fog horn.
Suddenly out Of the fog rushed a great
steamer and in a moment there was a
fearful crash, the Prov of the ship plung-
ing into the port side of the steamer just
Under the bridge.
The shock was terrific and tore a tre-
mendous hole in The steamer, while the
entire bow of the ship was demolished.
The steamer plunged on into the fog
again her whistles crying for help and her
rockets signalling her dire distress.
The Cromartyshire was rounded to and
her master, Capt Henderson, was consid-
erabiy relieved in finding that she was in
no danger of sinking.
Off to the eastward could be heard the
hoarse call of the steamer. and as the
fog began to lift all the boats on the ships
were launched.
Half an hour after the collision occurred
the misty curtain went up, giving clear
view for miles, and then It was that those
on the Cromartyshlre realized The fearful
struggle for life.
On board the Bourgogne the collision
had come at such a time in the morning
that few besides her crew were on deck,
but the shocks reused nearly every one
and within a few minutes the decks were
crowded.
At first It seemed as IL there was some
attempt at discipline, few of the boats
were swung off and some Of the passen-
gers we're allowed to stick to them
But as the steamer began to settle and
list 10 port the officers lost control Of the
crew and what was PROBABLY panic en-
sued.
Passengers ana crew fought for the
boats and life RATS. 1t was a fight to
the death in itself, while death in the
waters stared every one in the face.
The strong battered down the weak. the
women and children being pushed far
away from any hope Of rescue. Fists,
oars. and even knives, we're used by some
OF the demons 20 keep their places.
The officers seemed to have been power
less before their own men and only four
were saved
AS the ship sank, the vortex Of water
sucked down everything on the surface
within "a certain radius.
A couple OF minutes later, when the sue
ton ceased those still alive saw about 200
bodies come UP out Of the water with
rush as II the sea were giving up the dead
after having swallowed the ship
But the struggle for life stiil continued
after the ship went down.
Hundreds noated about grasping for