The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-07
COWARDLY
MARINERS.
Astounding Scenes at the
Wreck of La Bourgogne.
sDh DOWN BY A Shilling VESSEL.
ane steamer Quickly Sunk and 562
Lives Were Lost.
ONLY ONE WOMAN RESCUED.

She Is the Wife of Professor Lacasse, q
! Teacher Of Languages at Plainfield, N. J.
When the Mad Rush For Life Began the
Officers Lost Control Of the Crew, and
the Sailors Fought Like Demons Against
the Passenger, Using Fists, Oars and
Even Knives in Fighting For Their Worth.
less Lives-women and Children Beaten
OF by Brute Force.
I Halifax. N. s., July TN one Of the
thick fogs which at this time of the
year hang like pail over the Grand
Banks and Sable Island. in the North
Atlantic. occurred in the early morn
ing of July one 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 moments warning. almost.
the French liner La Bourgogne. with
V2s souls on board. was run down by
the British sailing ship Cromartyshire,
ana 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 nearly
COO of her passengers and crew. while
the balance who were not drawn down
by the fearful suction struggled and
fought for life until 1853 were at length
rescued from death by the crew Of the
Cromartyshire, which ship survived
the collision.
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 Bourgosne 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
% often has been the one bright fea-
ture of such awful moments, the crew
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 1853 saved con-
tanned the name of but one woman.
The disaster occurred about go miles
south Of Sable Island. which Hes nearly
. hundred miles off this port. The
B0urgogne had left New York, bound
Tor Havre, on the previous Saturday,
while the Cromartyshire was on her
way over to Glasgow, with crew of
II men. Although the transatlantic
steamers all have definite course. the
Bourgogne was, to all accounts, 40
miles or more to the north of these
lanes.
Collided In u Fog.
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
q great steamer, and in moment there
was fearful crash. The iron prov Of
the shin plunged into the mort side of
the steamer lust under the bridge. The
shock was terrific. and tore a tremen-
dous hole in the steamer while the en-
tire how of The shin was demolished.
The steamer plunged on into the fog
again, her whistle crying for help and
Der 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 daurcr of sinking.
on to the eastward could be heard the
hOarse call of the steamer, and as thr
fog began to lift all the boats on the
ship were launched. Half an hour after
the collision occurred the misty cur-
tain went m giving n clear view for
miles. and then if ws that thcse on the
Cromartyshire realized the fearful
.truegle for life. On hoard tha Rour.
xogne the collision had come so sudden
and at such time I'm the morning that
few besides the crew were on deck. hut
the shock reused nearly cvervone and
within a few minutes ihe docks were
crowded and the awful strugplr for life
began. Those rescued were picked nm
by the boats of the Cromartvshire,
which nut back as soon as possible.
Along in the afternoon the steamer
l,recian was sichted coming from the
westward, and a few hours afterward
ahe Croma,tysh,re was tal;en in inv
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