The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-09-30

~%@HSs~e~ts 0CfsoAADok W. HuuuEou
ami fifty scantily clad, baggage -bereft
men, women and children are ON beard Of
an inter-colonial special which will steam
into Bonaventure depot late tonight.
They comprise the greater number of
these who sailed from Liverpool on Sep
tember Is on board the steamship Scots
man, bound for Montreal, who were
wrecked on the shores of the Straits of
Belle Isle at half past two O'Clock on the
morning of the s1st.
1t was not only tale of shipwleck
that they had to tell but one Of death, of
suffering and pillage. For fifteen at least
of the Sootsman passengers ps7ished,
all suffered fuelly from cold and priya-
tion 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 pas
sengers and with loaded guns and rsvol-
vers compelled them to part with the few
Saluables saved. Captain Snrimshire and
his officers were noble exceptions. The
passengers ascribe to them the role of
heroes. For tine honor OF the British
merchant marine the crims may nob be-
ascribed to the men engaged in it, but to
a gang Of wharf rats and hangers on.
picked up on the docks at Liverpool. to
replace the usual crew OF the Scotsman
which Joined the seamen's strike on the
other side. The list of those who periahed
is as follows:
First class passengers:
Miss Strest Montreal
Mrs. Childs. wife OF the stage manager
of the "Sign Of the Cross" company.
Mrs. Roberts and infant.
Mrs. III. Scott.
Mrs. Robinson, wife of the manager OF
the Sun Life company of TORONTO
Miss Robinson.
Mrs. Dickinson, wife Of former editor
of the Toronto Globe.
Second class passengers:
Mrs. NJ. Scott (oocurs twice).
Mrs. Watson.
Mrs Talbot.
Mrs Tuthill.
Mrs. Shelton.
Mrs. Eliza Watkins.
Miss b. Viewers.
1t viii be noticed that all who perIshei
were women. This Is accounted for by
the fact that they were the occupants of
the first boat which left the steamer after
she struck and which was swamped before
1t could get clear of the ship.
The Scotsman sailed from Liverpool
September IA. The passage TO the Straits
Of Belle Isle was fair one. though the
green crew in the stoke-hole lessened the
speed Of the ship SO that when she reached
Belle Isle she was about days run be-
hind her usual average. Entering the
Straits of Belle Isle on Thursday night.
a dense fog blanketted down on the vessel
aud made navigation a matter OF greater
caution. at all times In the straits a pre-
carlous undertaking. The speed of the
ship was reduced and she felt her way In.
At two O'Clock there was shock under
meath the keel of the vessel followed by
another and another. The passengers
were asleep In their berths and all were
awakened by the shocks
On deck the thick bank of fog shut out
sight of shore. Passengers ran thither
and thither, but CAPTAIN Skirmshire and
his officers went among them. calming
their fears A superficial examination
told the captain that she would bs a total
wreck and that she must be abandoned
at once. A port life boat was lowered
and in this many Of the women and chill.
dren were placed. Hardly was 1t clear of
the ship wh,n 1t capsizsd. throwing Its
occupants into the water. Those who
perished were In this boat. Some were
saved. for the ship had listed and several
ladies were washed back onto the deck.
One lady clung to a rope for two hours.
before she was rescued. The skin was
torn from her hands Meanwhile dis
.racsful scenes wsrs being enacted on
board. Hardly had the vessel struck be-
fore men FROM the stoke rushed to the
cabins and. slitting open valises and bags
with thsir knives, took all the valuablss
they could lay their hands on. Several
OF them fired shot guns and tried to force
men TO leave their cabins.
II is eaid that soma Of the stesFage pas