Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-07
SHIP SAVED AND TAKES SURVIVORS TO HALIFAX.
Women and Children Murdered by
Sailors in Mad Rush for Boats.
STORY OF the WRECK.

Halifax. N. s., July Elm one of the
thick fogs, which at this time Of the
year hang like pail over the grand
banks and islands in the North Allan
tic occurred on the early morning of
July 4, enc of the most appalling ocean
disasters in the annals of trans-Atlan-
tic commerce, ana in fact. in the his
tory of steam sailing Of the world.
: Without mohnan1Is warning. almost,
the great french liner La Bougogne,
with ia souls on board was run down
by the iron sailing ship Cromartyshire,
and such terrific hole was torn in the
big steamers port side that she sank
within half an hour, carrying with her
to the oceans bottom, over 600 of her
passengers and crew. while the bal
ance who were not drawn under by the
fearful suction. struggled and fought
for life until 1853 were at length res
cued from death by the crew Of the
Cromartyshire, which survived the col
lision.
The story Of the terrible disaster
from the few officers and crew who
were saved, is yet to be told, but if the
words of the passengers who were
dragged aboard the Cromartyshire and
later brought to this port by the steam-
err Grecian are to be believed, the last
few minutes on the Bourgogne Witness
ed some of the most terrible scenes of
horror and cruelty that have blotted
the history of civilized races.
Instead of heroic 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 RATS, battling the
helpless passengers away from their
only means of salvation, with the re-
suit that the strong overcome the weak
and the list of 1853 saved contains the
name OF but one woman.
The disaster occurred at about 5
o'clock in the morning of July 4, about
60 miles south OF Sable Island, which
lies nearly 100 miles off this port.
The Bourgogne had left New York,
bound for Havre, on the previous Sat-
urday, while the Cromartyshire was on
her way over from Glasgow, with a
crew of 81 men. Although the trans
Atlantic steamers all have a definite
course, the Bourgogne was, to all ac-
counts, 40 miles or more to the north of
the steamer, lanes.
The fog, as is usual at this time of
the year, was very dense, and the big
iron ship was sailing along with re-
duced canvass and blowing her fog
horn. Suddenly out of the fog rushed
great steamer and In moment there
the ship plunging into the port side
of the steamer just under the bridge.
The shock was a terrific one and tore
tremendous hole in the side Of 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 rockets
signalling her dire distress.
The Cromartyshire was rounded to,
and her master, Capt. Henderson, was
considerably relieved in finding that
she was in no danger of sinking. OF to
the eastward could be heard the hoarse
call of the steamer and as the fog be-
gan to Eft, all the boats on the ship
were launched. Half an hour after the
collision occurred the misty curtain
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