The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1898-07-09
SIX HUNDRED DEAD
LOSS OF Ia BouRGoGNE A MOST
APPALLING CATASTROPHE.
Vessel Sank In Ral1 an Hour, Six Hun.
Fought Like Dsmons-Fists and Even
Knives Used to Keep Possession Of the
Lfsboats-Only One OF the Two Hun-
drsd Women on Board Was savad.

HALIFAX, N. g., July TN one of
the thick fogs which at this time of the
year hang over the Grand Banks and
Sable island in tho North Atlantic, oc.
CURED in the early morning Of July 4,
one Of the most appalling water acoi.
dents in the annals Of Atlantic com.
merce. and in fact in the history Of
steam sailing Of the world.
Without moments notice the
French liner La Bourgogne. with 752
persons on board, was run down by the
iron sailing ship Cromartyshire and
sank within half an hour, carrying
with her to the bottom over 900 Of her
passengers and crew. while the balance
who were not drawn down BY the fear.
full suction struggled and fought for
life until 1913 were at length rescued by
the crew Of the Cromartyshirs, which
ship survived the collision.
The disaster occurred at s O'Clock in
the morning Of Monday, July 4, go
miles south Of Sable island, which lies
100 miles from this port. The Bour.
gogne had left New York bound for
Havre on the previous Saturday, while
the Cromartyshire was on her way
from Glasgow with crew of VI men.
All Of the transatlantic steamers
have definite course, but the Bour-
gogne was by all accounts 40 miles or
more to the north Of these lines. The
fog was very dense and the Cromarty.
shire was sailing along with reduced
canvas and blowing the foghorn. Sud.
denly out Of the fog rushed great
steamer and in moment there was q
fearful crash. the iron Prov Of the ship
plpnging into the port aide of tho
steamer just under tho bridge. Tho
shock was terrific and n
Tore Trsmsndous Hole
in the steamer, while the whole bow.
spirit was demolished. The steamer
ploughed on into the fog again, her
whistle crying for help and her rockets
signalling her distress The Oromarty.
shire was rounded to and her master,
Captain Henderson, was considerably
relieved in finding che was in no dan.
ger Of sinking. OF to the eastward
could be heard tho hoarse call Of the
steamer and as the fog began to lift all
the boats Of the ahip were launched.
Halt an hour after the collision the
misty curtain went up, giving clear
view for miles, and then it was those
on the Cromartyshire realized the fear.
ful struggle for life. On board the
Bourgogne the collision had come 50
suddenly and ct such an early hour
that few besides her crow were on
deck, hut the 6ali
Shook Reused Everybody asfsf
and in few minutes her; decks were
crowded. At first there seems to have
been some attempt. at discipline. A
few Of the boats were swung of aud .
few Of the passengers were allowed 70
get into them, but o tho steamer b.
gan to ssttls and list to port tho officers
lost control Of the crew and = panic
followed. Passengers and crew faasht
for the boats and lite xaftR 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. The
officers seem ta have bssn powsrlsss
before their own man and only four
were saved. The. fight for life on the
decks of the steamer did not last long,
for in little more than half an hour
she gave . long luroh to port and went
down. Az the ship