Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-07

| III was the breaking OF the slip that
leads from the Maine Central wharf to
the steamer Sappho causing between
IFS and 200 people to be thrown into
the water under the wharf and of these
it is estimated that about 30 were
drowned, though about the only esti-
mate that can be gained is in the num-
Der of bodies that have been recovered
by the men in boats and by the diver
that arrived by a special boat from
though it is hoped not.
The accident happened to an cxcur-
sion party from Bangor and the line
between that city and this place and
consequently the list Of fatalities is
great Of people Of this section. 1t is
noted that the greater number of
drowned were men.
The train arrived at about 1915
o'clock, this forenoon, with - cars all
of which were loaded with people
bound for Bar Harbor and the war
ships. 1t was n terrible accident and il
threw dampcr over all the excursions
of the day Many of the excursions
that were to have come were intercept
ed on the way and did not complete the
trip 1t will be a blow. it is feared, TO
| the excursions of the week.
! When the train arrived there was a
rush for the Sappho and the immense
new slip which measured A. feet long
! and 10 or u feet wide, was soon crowd
"a and creaking under the heavy load
! imposed upon H.
This alone Is what caused the acct
dent ana Il was certainly no fault N
the Maine Central for the Slip was ~
new planks inches In thickness. All
was supported ~ nve large stringcrs
ana would have held any ordinary
crowd.
II parted In the very middle ana the
people ol the wharf end were thrown
! forward into The opening and those al
most upon the ship were thrown back
wards Il Is a matter If doub, who
were the more frightened. those in the
accident or their friends who were
standing on the wharf crowding to-
ward the place. In the former case the
thought of sclf-prcservation was up
pcrmost while in the latter thu people
were so very much frightened that
! they did not know what to do until
someone called out to throw over all
the ropes ana other things to assist III
the rescue.
I'll" sight bcgEars description.
There il the Waters under the wharf
we're the 200 souls Laundering in the
water that was very dcep. Their cries
for assistance was heartrcuding ana
the rroans and curses were intermin-
| gled Every one was making a des-
/ rerate effort to save himself and
others about him.
II seemed an eternity but in reality
It was but few moments before the
/ rcscucrs began their work. Deeds Of
( heroism among those in the water
were seen on all sides.
! Some of the men. were assisting wo-
| men and other men unable to swim.
| Ropes and boats soon brought up all
those who were alive and they were
first taken to the freight house for
! treatment
In the crush of the fall there were
many who were injured. DIR. Whit
! comb of Orono. was among those who
were badly hurt his injury being to
his leg.
The survivors began to bc led to
places Of comfort and relief from their
injuries and sickness for many were
decidedly i'll by the shock and swallow
ing the sea water.
Hysterical people laughed and cried
and shouted. These were not confined
to those who had been into the water. |
hut were among those who had been
the witnesses of the scene.
People searched about for missing
friends ready to believe the worst.
Taken all in all it was day that those
present will not forget in all their
lives. To add to the horror of it all
was the constant passing of people
bearing the unconscious and dead per-
sons.
During the afternoon. it is said that 96
people had been removed and the search
ers were still out. The greater number of
the bodies were identified but there were
several that were not In these cases they
were again and again pronounced to BE
some person and then that person would
be found living.
The excursion party of the Maine Press
Association was in the very midst of the
affair.
All went into the water and had mar
row escapes, but all We're saved and they
accompanied Editor Campbell Of the
Ellsworth Enterprise to Ellsworth on one \
Of the afternoon trains. The manager Of
the excursion, Editor Chester W. Robbins .
Of the Old Town Enterprise. was the /
means of saving several lives, for after I,
saving several with his clothes on, he |