The record-union., 1898-06-22
Swept From the Staging They Occupied
Into the Water.
The Dead Bodies of Five Men,
Eighteen Women and Eleven
Children Recovered, and a
Large Number Injured-The
Disaster Caused by the Immense
Mass of Water Rising When the
Ship Was Slipped From the
Ways.


launch of the British first-class bat
Well, to-day by the Duchess Of York.
a ceremony in which the United States
Embassador, Colonel John Hay, and
Mrs. Hay and Lieutenant Colwell, the
United States naval attache, assisted,
the displacement of water caused an
immense mass of water to rise on all
lower stages of the yard and immersing
hundreds of people.
The Duchess of York and Colonel and
Mrs. Hay and the remainder of the
distinguished guests did not see the ac-
cident, which occurred at the moment
when three cheers were called for the
successful launching and the cries and
screams of the victims We're drowned
by the outburstS of hurrahS and steam
sirens.
The bodies of five men, eighteen wO-
men and eleven children have been re-
covered at Blackwell. The victims We're
mostly working people on a holiday,
who had trespasSed on the ship build
ing yard where the launching took
place. They crowded upon a staging
from which they had been warned off,
Inadequate.
About two hundred persons We're
thrown in the water when the staging
was demolished by the back wash of
the huge battleship when she plunged
into the water. Most of these were
rescued by means of the numerous
rowboats in the vicinity. but many We're
swept away by the flood tide, which
irNcr a ar1ly hat fnrea Csf
ance could reach them.
About sixty of the spectators We're in
jured, and had to receive surgical treat
ment.
Many lucky rescues of drowning per-
sons We're made by on-lookers. Heart
rending scenes were witnessed when
the bodies of children and other rela-
tives of those who escaped the disaster
We're recovered and brought to land.
The Duke and Duchess of York have
telegraphed assurances of their pro-
found regret and sympathy.
Thousands who witnessed the launch
ing, including the royal party, left the
scene ignorant of the disaster.
The staging that was destroyed had
been erected for workmen near the
stern of a japanese cruiser in course
Ol CGUSllTuol1Oll III THE XIV dll dIdS
It was light structure about fifty feet
long. and notices had been posted
warming the public that it was dan
gerous.
Despite the efforts of the police, some
200 people invaded the staging, which
commanded a good view of the launch
ing. Two great waves completely de-
molished it. and on receding carried
most Of its occupants into deep water.
The water was alive with struggling
people and floating debris. 1t was a
scene of terrible confusion. The
shrieks of the unfortunate people
mingled with the cheers over the sue
cessfuI launching. Fortunately there
was plenty of help near in the shape
OF police boats, and other craft The
ship builders. with drags and the fire.
men. who participated, We're all prompt
in affordinS succor. A number OF
nurses who had come to witness the
launching We're among those engulfed
Some of these and many others were
revived by artificial respiration. Some
were injured by colliding with the de-
bris.
Heartrending scenes have been wit