Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-08-09

haps save over an hour for tue boat to
make another trip. In that rush, death
came.
The first few passengers had crossed the
gangplank safely, and it is estimated that
200 people were maY5ed upon it when 1t
went down. There was no warning. A
slight settling of the plank, then the
crash OF breaking timbers, and the fatal
plunge into the water fifteen feet below.
The terrible scene of the next few mo-
ments is indelibly printed on the minds
of all who witnessed it. The gangplank
had broken in the middle; the hinge
held up one end and the chains the other,
while the broken ends hung down in the
water where now a shrieking mass Of
humanity was struggling for life.
A few chung to the inclined sides OF the
broken plank, but most Of the people on
the plank slipped down into the water,
forcing under those who were in the
middle OF the plank when it broke. 1t is
estimated that fully $50 were in the water
From the wharf and boat above hun
dreds Of excursionists, stunned by the
suddenness Of the calamity, looked with
starting eyes at that struggling mass
below, failing at first to comprehend the
magnitude Of the tragedy they were wit
Messing. 1t seemed a full minute before a
hand was raised in the work OF rescue
new 50 imperative, but In reality 1t was
only an instant. Then ready and brave
hands were not lacking.
HEROES WERE THERE.
There were noble heroes and cool heads
in that crowd OF excursionists Men who
more fortunate thau their fellows, sue
ceeded in reacnlngs p nee OF safety, risked
again their lives, and IN more than one
instance lost theirs for the sake OF OF hers
The stories Which could be told OF the
deeds OF heroism N those terrible
minutes would fill many pages.
One OF the first to begin the work of
rescue was William Jellison, the freight
agent at Mt. Desert Ferry. His first
action was to throw rope to the drown
ing, and this seemed to be the signal for
all to begin work. The rope was not
effective, as it slipped through the hands
OF he people who tr ed to grasp it, and
Mr.. Jellison next procured ladder,
which was let down into the hole and was
the means OF saving many lives.
). K. Prentiss, OF Bangor, cut a rope
from the "Sapphoe and thresr it to the
struggling people. IAN old man. says
Mr.. Prentiss, stood on the precarious
footing afforded by the submerged end OF
the slip. As threw down the role he
seized it, and either tied it around others
or handed ii over to them to be pulled
out. / called to him 10 come up him
self, that he would be drowned, but back
came the cool aud unexpected answer !:
on, I'm i'll no hurry; Phi come up by
and by. And he Was one OF the last to
t come cut OF the water" That man"
added Mr.. Prentiss, in telling the story,
"was built OF the stuff heroes are made
OF" That man was George IL. Brooks, of
| Ellsworth, whose wife was one OF the
/ last to be pulled from the water, and is
still lowering between life and death.
Mrs. Brooks was saved from drowning by
tue presence OF mind OF woman who,
while holding on herself, held up Mrs.
Brooks and told her " hat to do.
Frank Kelley, OF Hancock, forced his
way under the wharf, and saved eight
people Who were out OF reach OF those on
boat and wharf.
In the crowd that went down were
/ many Maine editors just returned from a
tour of Washington county, and bound
on side trip for Bar Harbor. All were
rescued, and several distinguished them
selves i'll their work OF reeeuing Others.
Editor Robbins, OF the Old Town Enter
prise, WAS one OF the foremost OF these.
Il. c. Addition. of Bangor, and Mr..
Miller, OF the firm of Rice Il Miller,
ers. Many others, whose names were not
learned, could be added to the list Of
| heroes.
THE DEAD AND INJURED.
As fast as the people were pulled from
the water they received such attention as
their case required. The injured were
taken to Hotel Bluffs. Many taken from
the water were brought back to life only
after much work over them. George l..
Spaulding, of Orono, was resuscitated
only after two hours treatment. Those
past assistance were taken to the freig hit
house, and there by noon seventeen
| bodies told the horrible story OF the har-
! vest of death. The identification of the
dead in many instances was slow, but by
night all but two of the bodies at the
| freight house had been identified by
! friends.
| Dispatches had been sent to Bangor,
| Ellsworth and Bar Harbor for physicians.
But it was a long time before they could
reach the scene. There was an unfor-