The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-30
CRIME IN MIDST
o. "HIPWRECK
80
The Gas Sc Away of the
Stea . Scotsman.
=
-
-
FIFTEEN ; WOMEN LOST
DROWNED BY THE SWAMPING
OF A BOAT.
THE WHARF RAT CREW ROB PASSENGERS
SufFeriugs of the People Cast Upon a Bleak
and nhospitabIs Shore, Their Final
escue by the Montfort and
Ihn Mo- tnroM
the Monterey.

uC HOhtClCJ'
Montreal, Quebec, Sept 29.-Two hun
dred and fifty scantily clad, baggage
bereft, men, women and children, are on
board an international special, which
steamed into Bonaventure depot to-
night They comprised the greater num-
Der of those who sailed from Liverpool
on September 14th on board the steam
ship Scotsman, bound for Montreal,
which was wrecked ON the shores Of
the Straits of Belle Isle at half past
two of the morning of the Dist.
1t was not only a tale OF shipwreck
that they had to tell, but one of death,
of suffering and pillage. For fifteen, at
| least, of the Scotsman's passengers per-
| ished: all suffered cruelty from cold and
privaton, and, almost the worst horror
| of all, the men who were supposed to
succor and assist those committed to
| their care, in the hour of need, turned
ON the helpless passengers and with
| loaded gums and revolvers compelled
| them to part with the few yaluables
| saved.
| Captain Skrmshire and his officers
were exceptions. For the honor of the
| British merchant marine the crime may
not he ascribed to the men engaged in
/ it, but to a gang Of wharf rats, and
hangers-on, picked up on the decks at
| Liverpool, to replace the usual crew OF
| the Scotsman, which joined the sea-
mems strike on the other side.
The list of those who perished is as
follows:
Fi1st-clas,s Passengers Miss Street,
Montreal; Mrs. Childs, wife OF the stage
manager of the Sign of the Cross
! Company; Mrs. Roberts ana infant,
Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Robinson, wife of the
manager of the Sunlight Soap Com
pany of Toronto, Mrs Dickinson, wife
of former editor of the Toronto Globe.
Second-cass Passengers-M Nj. Nj.
Scott Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Talbot, Mrs.
Tuthill. Mrs Skelton, Mrs. Eliza Wat
kins, Miss Il. Weavers.
1t will be noticed that all who per-
ished were women. This is accounted
for by the fact that they were occu-
pants of the first boat which left the
| steamer after she struck and which was
swamped before it could get clear of the
ship.
The Scotsman sailed from Liverpool
on September 14th The passage to the
|
though the green crew i'm the stoke hole
lessened the speed of the ship so that
when She reached Belle Isle she was
about a days run behind her usual
average.
Entering the Straits of Belle Isle ON
Thursday night dense fog blanketed
down ON the vessel and made nlviga-
ton, a matter of great caution at all
times in the Straits, Il precariOus under
taking. The speed of the ship was
reduced and she felt her way in. At
O'Clock there was Il shock underneath
the keel of the vessel, followed by an
other and another. The passengers, who
were asleep, were awakened by the
shocks.
On deck the thick bank OF fog shut
out the sight of shore. Passengers ran
hither and thither, but Captain Skrim-
shire and his officers went among them,
calming their fears. A superficial ex-
animation of the ship showed the Cap
tain that she would be total wreck and
must be abandoned ait once.
A port lifeboat was lowered,in this and
many of the women and children were
placed. Hardly was it clear of the
ship when it capsized, throwing its oc-
cupants into the water. Those who
peflSneu were IN TINS boat. some were
saved for the ship had listed to port
and several women were washed back
on to the deck. One woman cIung to a
rope for two hours before being res
cued
Meanwhile disgaaceful scenes We're b@-
ing enacted ON board Hardly had the
vessel struck before men from the stoke
hole rushed into the cabins and, Sitting
open valises and bags with their knives.
took all the vahmbles they could lay their
hands ON. Several OF them fired shot
| gums and tried to force men to leave
their cabins.
1t is Said that some of the steerage
passengers Joined the firemen in looti0g
the baggage of the first class PASSENGERS.
In more than ONE instance rings were
torn from the fingers of rfainting and dy-
ing women. Captain SkTinehire and l,S
officers could do nothing against the
| mob.
When morning came il was found tnat
| The Scotsmen lay close in shcrr Nloag-
side cliff fully thousand feet high a
second boatload Of women and children
which had been sent off was called back
and the passengers transhipped 70 the
Erocks alongside the ship
/ Until $3.50 the officers and some Of the
crew OF the Scotsman worked mceaSiug
| Continued ON Sixth Page,l