The age-herald., 1899-09-30
WOMEN PASSENGERS PERISH
They Were Robbed by Ruthless Wharf
 Rats
WHO COMPRISED SF : CREW
Hardly Had the Vesse : ok Before Men from the stokI Rushed Into Cabins : .llaged
 Everythinf ~ ; ght

Montreal, Septembef Two hundred and fifty scantily clad, baggage bereft men, women and children were on board a special train which reached here tonight. They comprised the greater number of those who sailed from Liverpool on Sep- tember 14, on board the steamer Scotsman bound for Montreal which was wrecked on the shores of the straits of Belle Isle on the Fist. It was not only a tale of ship wreck that they had to tell, but one of death, suffering and pillage. For fifteen at least of the Seotman's passengers perish ed; all suffered cruelty from cold and pri- vation and almost the worst horror of all, the men who were supposed to suceor and assist those committed to their care in the hour of need turned on the helpless passengers and with loaded guns and re- volvers compelled them to pant with the few valuables saved. Captain skrymshire and his officers were exceptions. The out rages were committed by q gang of wharf rats and hangers on, picked up on the docks at Liverpool to replace the usual crew of the Scotman which joined the sea men's strike on the other side All who perished were women
 Scotsman struck Ground
 This is accounted Tor by the Tact lhdt they were occupants 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 struck ground during a heavy fog at 2 o'clock in the morning. The passengers were asleep in their berths and all were awakened by the shock.
 On deck the thick bank of fog shut out the sight of shore. Passengers ran hither and thither but Captain Skrynshre and his officers calmed their fears. A superfi- eial exanlination of the snip told the cap tain that she would be total wreck and that she must be abandoned.
 A port life boat was lowered and in this many of the women and children were placed. Hardly was it clear of the ship when it capszed, throwing its occupants into the water. Those who perished were in this boat. Some were saved, for the ship had listed to port and several women Were washed back onto the deck. One wo- man clung to q rope for two hours before being rescued.
 nissracefuI Scenes Enacted
 Meanwhile dsgraceful scenes were being enacted on board. Hardly had the vessel 9'i p1h p'ioit IlSli lioH lne SlOke nOlu rushed into the cabins and sitting open valises and bags with the.c knives. took all valuabes they could lay their hands on. Several of them fired shotguns and tried to force men to leave their cabins. It Is said that some of the steerage passengers joined the firemen in footing the baggage of the first-class passengers. In more than one instance everything was torn from fainting and dying women. The captain and his officers could do nothing against the mob. When the men came the passen- gers were landed on the rocks along the side of the boat, but here the new danger of starvation faced them. A quantity of biscuit was carried on shore and on this with a very little corned beef over two hundred persons existed for four days. Some natural springs were found, but de- spite this the bad conditions of food and water brought on sickness. Many suffered from exposure.
 After much difficulty some overcoats were secured for the women, nearly every one of whom had left the ship in their night clothes. The passengers were obliged to climb up a rocky cliff nearly 300 feet high before they could find a place large enough to rest Here they stayed on the rocks for four days and nights. The first night they had absolutely no shelter, but on Saturday the captain sent up blankets and clothing. A number of passengers at tempted to reach the light house which was about eight miles away as the crow flies. To do this it necessary to climb about 125 feet higher before a path could be reached. It was nor till the 26th that the Montfort came along. She took 250 of the passengers and the steamship Grecian, soon after came in sight, took the rema1n- der, excepting four who decided to retufn to England the steamer Montery the next vessel to appear. Forty-ive of the crew also went on this boat
 BIC FIRE AT GONSHATTA