The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-07

HALIFAX, y. s. July s.-The French
steamer La Bourgogne. Of the Csmpag-
ME Generate Transatlantique Line with
725 souls on board was run down by their
6wn sailing ship Cromartyshire. sixty
miles south OF Sable Island during the
early morning OF July lth and sunk with
in half an hour. carrying with her over
500 Of her passengers and crew. The
balance. who were not drawn down by
the fearful suction struggled and fought
for life until lG3 were az length rescued
from death by the crew OF the Cromar,y-
shire. which ship survived the collision.
A thick fog prevailed at the time OF
the disaster.
TERRIBLE SCENES.
The story OF the fearful accident from
the few officers and crew who wers saved
IS yet 10 be told. but II the words OF
the passengers who were dragg@d ABOARD
the CTOmartys yshire and later brought into
this port by the steamer Grecian are TO
be believed the last few minutes on board
the Bourgogne Witnessed some OF the
most terrible scenes OF horror and cruel
ty that have blotted the history of a
civilized race.
BUT ONE WOMAN SAVED.
Instead OF the discipline which so often
has been the one bright feature OF such.
awful moments. the crew OF the steam
er fought Ike demons for tho few lie
boats and RATS. battering the helpless
passengers away from their only means
OF salvation with the result that strong
overcame the weak, and the list OF isS
saved contained tho name OF but one
woman.
THE STORY.
The Bourgogne had left New York,
bound for Hayre. on Saturday. July "a.
while the CromartyEhire was on her way
over from Glasgow with a crew Of twen-
ty-one men.
Although the transatlantic steamers
all have a definite course. The Bour-
gogne Was 90 an accounts forty miles or
moro 10 the north Of these lanes
The fog was very dense and the big
iron ship was sailing along with reduced
canvas and blowing the fog horn. sud
denly out OF the fog rushed great
fearful crash. the iron PROV OF the ship
plunglng into the port side 81 the steamer
just under the bridge.
A TERRIFIC SHOCK.
The shock was terrific and tore a tre-
mendous 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 ard
her rockets signalling her dire distress
The CrOmartyshire was rounded TO and
her master. Captain Henderson. was con-
siderably relieved in sinding that she was
In no danger OF sinking. on 10 the east
ward could be heard the hoarse call %
the steamer. and as the fog began 10
lift all the boats on the ship were launch
ed Half an hour after the collision oe-
Cured the misty curtain went up, giving
a clear view for miles. then 10 was that
those on the Cromatryshire realized the
fearful struggle for life. on board the
Bourgogne the collision had come at such
a time in the morning that few besides
her crew were on deck. but the shock
reused nearly everyone and Within Few
minutes the decks were CROWDED.
BEYOND CONTROL.
AT first IL seemed as II there was soma
attempt al discipline. few Of the boats
were swung on, and some Of the pas
sengers allowed TO get into them But
as the steamer begav 10 settle and iist
10 mort. the officers failed 20 control the
crew. Passengers and crew fought for
the boats and life RATS. IL was nght
10 the death IN itself. while death in The
waters stared every one in the face
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 seemed 10 have
b.cn powerless before their men. and
only four were saved.
A GRUESoME SIGHT
Az the ship sank the vortex OF water
sucked down everything on the surface
within a certain radius A couple OF
minutes later when the suction ceased.
those still alive saw about 3o bodies come
2l~sL II.