Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-14
The Atlantic Liner Il Bourgogne
Sunk by the Cromartyshire.
NEARLY SIX HUNDRED SOULS PERISH
The Collision Occurs During Dense Fog
Passengers and Crew Fight FOR the (
Boats and the Strong Batter
Down the Weak.

Uranu DankS ana SADIE Island In tne
North Atlantic, occurred in the early
morning Of July one Of the most ap-
palling ocean disasters in the annals
Of Transatlantic commerce Without
moments warning, almost, the great
French liner La Bourgogue, with 7s5
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
500 Of her passengers and crew, while
the balance, who were not drawn
down by the fearful suction, strug-
gled and fought for life until l63
were at length rescued by the crew Of
the Cromartyshlre, which ship sur.
vived the collision. The last few min.
utes on board the Bourgogne witnessed
some Of the most terrible scenes of
horror and cruelty that have blotted
the history Of civilized race Instead
of the heroic discipline which so often
has been the bright feature of such
awful moments, the crew of the steam
er 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
and the list of 1863 saved contains the
name of but one woman.
The Bourgogne had left New York
bound for Havre on the previous Satur.
day, while the Cromartyshire was
on her way over from Glasgow
with crew of 81 men. Although the
transatlantic steamships all have
definite course, the Bourgogne was, by
all accounts, 40 miles or more to the
north of these lines. The fog was
very dense and the Cromartyshire was
sailing along with reduced canvas and
blowing the foghorn. Suddenly out
of the fog rushed great steamer and
in a moment there was a fearful
crash, the iron prov Of the ship plung-
ing into the port side Of the steamer
just under the bridge. The shock was
terrific and tore tremendous hole in
the steamer, while the entire bow Of
the ship was demolished. The steamer
plunged on into the fog again, her
whistle crying for help, and her rock
cts signaling her distress.
The Cromartyshire was rounded to
and her master, Capt. 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 the misty curtain
went up giving a clear view for miles
and then IT was that those on the Gro
martyshire realized the fearful strug.
gle for life
On board the Bourgogne the col
lision had come SO suddenly and at
such time in the morning that
few besides the crew were on deck,
but the shock reused nearly every.
one and within few minutes the
decks were crowded, and passengers
and crew fought for the boats and
life-rafts. The strong battered down
the weak, the women and children
being pushed far away from any hope
OF rescue. Fists, oars and even knives
were used by some of the demons to
keep their places. As the ship sank
beneath the surface the vortex of the
waters sucked down everything ON
the surface within certain radius.
When the suction ceased those still |
alive saw about 200 bodies come out of |
the water with rush, as if the sea
were giving up the dead after having
swallowed the ship. But the struggle
for life still continued after the ship
went down. Hundreds still hoated
about, grasping for RATS, boats and
in frantic endeavor to keep
above water.
BY this time the small boats of the
Cromartyshire had come up and the
work of rescue began. But little at
tempt was made to recover the bodies
Of any of the Inflated passengers or
crew, and the battered hulk at the
bottom of the ocean will probably be
their tomb.
In the afternoon the steamer Grecian
was sighted coming from the west
ward, and few hours afterwards the
Cromartyshire was in tow and arrived
here yesterday morning.
Mr.. Lacasse, of Plainfleld, N. j., is
the only man of the saloon and cabin
who survives, while his
wife is the only woman Of 200, not
only of the first saloon cabin, but OF
the whole ship, who escaped.
Among the victims were the family
Of Mr.. John Perry, of Kansas City,
Mo-, namely, Mrs. John Perry, Miss
Sadie Perry, Miss Florence Perry, Miss
Katherine Perry and Albert Perry.
The mother and sister of Hiram p.
Dillon, Of Topeka, Kan, were also
among those lost