Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-09
Passenger Steamer La BOur-
gOgne Sunk by Collision.
NEARLY SIX HUNDRED DROWNED.
Of 725 Souls on Board Only 1853
Were Rescued.
SAILORS FEARFUL BRUTALITY.

They Made No Effort to Save the Lives Of
Passengers, But Instead Fought for Their
Own Lives, Forcing Men, wcmen and
Children Back From the Boats Even
When Struggling in the water-As a
Result But One Woman of the Two Hun
bred on Board Succeeded in Escaping.
Halifax, N. s., July lin 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 4 che 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 Bourgogne, 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
600 Of her passengers and crew while
the balance who were not drawn down
by the fearful suction struggled and
fought for life until 1863 We're at length
rescued from death by the crew of the
Cromartyshire, which ship survived
the collision.
The disaster occurred about 60 miles
south of Sable Island, which lies nearly
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 crew of
q men. Although the transatlantic
steamers all have a definite course, the
Bourgogne was, to all accounts. 80
miles or more to the north of these
lanes.
The story of the fearful disaster from
the few officers and crew who were
saved is yet TO be told, but IL 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 Bourgogne wit
messed some of the most terrible scenes
of horror and cruelty that have blotted
the history of a civilized race.
Instead of the heroic discipline which
so often has been the one bright fea-
of the steamer fought like demons for
| the few lifeboats and RATS, battering
the helpless passengers away from
| their only means of salvation, with the
result that the strong overcame the
| the weak, and the list of 1863 saved con-
| tanned the name of but one woman.
The fog was very dense, and the big
| iron ship was sailing along with re-
duced canvas and blowing the fog
horn. Suddenly out of 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 Cromartyshire 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, and as the
fog began to lift all the boats on the
ship were launched. Half an hour after
the collision occurred the misty cur
tain went up giving a clear view for
miles, and then Ii WIS that those on the
Cromartyshire, realized the fearful
struggle for life. On board the Boui-
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 minutes the decks were
crowded and the awful struggle for life
began. Those rescued were picked up
by the boats OF the Cromartyshire,
which put back as soon as possible.
Along in the afternoon the steamer
Grecian was sighted coming from the
westward. and few hours afterward
the Cromartyshire was taken in tow
and arrived here yesterday morning.
Some OF the scenes enacted on board
La Boursogne just after the collision
were terrible TO witness. Men fought
for positions in the boats like raving
maniacs. women were forced back
from the boats and trampled by men,
who made self preservation their first
object. On board We're a large num-
Der of the lower class of Italians and
other foreigners. who in their frenzy
stopped at nothing that promised
safety for themselves. In boat was
a party Of 40 women, but so great was
the panic that not hand was raised
to assist in its launching. The oc-
cupants so near saved, were drowned
like rats when the ship, with an awful
kissing sound, went down.
So desperate was the situation that
an Italian passenger drew his knife
and made direct at one who, like him
self was endeavoring to reach the
boats. Immediately his action was
initiated in every direction. Knives
were fourished and used with effect.
Women and children were driven back
TO inevitable death at the point Of
weapons, the owners Of which were
experts in their use. According to the
stories Of survivors, women were stab
bed like so many sheep.
The scene on the water was even
worse. Many of the unfortunates who
were struggling in the water attempted
10 draw themselves into the boats or
on RATS. These We're pushed back into