Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-20
81 WERE LOST.
Details Of the Wreck of tie
Steamer Islander.
The 1903 Passengers Were in Berths
When Ship Struck Iceberg.
Many Jumped Overheard and vainIy Attempted
to Reach the Shore.

the north bringing news Of one of the
most appalling marine disasters on the
Pacific coast
The steamer Islander. sailing from
Skagway. Aug. IA, when nearing the
southwest end of Douglass island. at
2 A. NJ. Aug. 10. and running at full
speed struck a floating iceberg and in
less than 20 minutes went to the bottom
Of the deep channel, carrying men,
women ard children to death.
The Islander had los passengers and
all We're in bed when the vessel struck.
The shock was so severe that many
were thrown from their berths, and
the widest excitement prevailed.
Word was soon passed that the vessel
was doomed and a general scramble
for the life boats ensued, many Jump
ing overheard and attempting to swim
10 the shore, the distance being short.
IN the scramble To get into the boats
many were hurled headlong into the
chilly water which according to pas
senGers arriving from the scene seemed
alive with human beings.
Befor" al the passengers had left the
vessel she gave a lunge and went down
bow first.
1t is known that CT lives were cost.
II VIII be some time before their names
can be definitely learned as the purser
lost his passenger list
number al passengers tell of their
thriliing experiences.
NJ. Blumar Of Portland who was
bringing out sGtchel containing
$1,000 in gold, rushed NJ 10 the upper
deck when tn. boat WAS settling by
the head ana capt. Foote told him
there was iittl" danger Soon there
was rush FOR the boats and when he
was boarding the lite boat he was
afraid to throw his satchel of gold
down from the deck Of the boat for
fear that the weight of the gold would
stave Il hole through the life boat and
thus cause the loss Of the lives of
those in the boats. as well as losing his
own chances Of safety. He concluded
to abandon his gold. and. dropping the
Satchel on the deck. he slid down into
the water and was hauled to the boat.
thankful to save his life.
ore man who had Just come out from
the kionjike. is reported TO have TAX
en- his portmanteau from the purser
and With the grip containing $4,000 in
value. jumped from the steamer to a
boat, and failing to reach the boat.
went down with his treasure.
United States Consul A. j. Smith.
who was passenger on the steamer
Queen. saw DR.. Phillips of Seattle. at
Juneau. Dr.. Phillips told him that he
had lost his wife and child. The doc
tor felt the sudden stoppage, got up
and told his wife TO dress. When they
got up from their room the steamer
was sinking and before they could Jump
from the deck. his wife and child were
caught in the suction Of the ventila-
tors and were drowned.
DR.. Phillips was also drawn into 4
ventilator but was caught by the mead
at the TOP and escaped. He went down
with the steamer and caught hold OF
some wreck2ge from which he was af-
forwards rescued.
A passenger who arrived by the
Queen saws that. Thursday morning,
when the tide turned. it brought in a
large quantity of Wreckage. The IN
dams looted the wreckaSe. smashing
trunks with axes.
On Saturday evening. concert was
given on the steamer Queen for the SUI
ferers and $685. was raised.
A special To the Times from Victoria.
Il. g.. says:
The steamer Queen left for Seattle at .
o clock, CARRYING Il nlmher of Survivors
Of the wreck ana the Farallnn is cN-
pcctcd soon. Purser Bisnop is expected
on the i'arallon with AN additional list
Of dead
cant. Footc remained on the bridge I'M
til the steamer was laundering. Then he
jumped into the life raft. which WIS al
ready taxed. He exclaimed: II see there
are too many here, So good bye. boys.
ana swan away. He was shortly after
wards seen to sink.
Chief Engineer Brownlec had 4 miracu-
Ious escape lie was asleep and was
awakened by Third Engineer Allen ring
ing his bell He ran To the engine room
There two tiremcn died like heroes soon
after he arrived. They were ordered To
close the top wheel and shut off the
water which was rushing from the for
ward part of the vessel. hTey tried to do
so and were drowned.
Brownlce went down with the steamer
and was standing on the upper deck hold
ing the top rail when the steamer slid
down by the head. He rose from the
WITHHOLD and grasped some wreckage.
DIR. Phillips of Seattle, came up after him
and together they chung to the wreck
ace until they were picked UP.
Passengers and members of the crew
vino have arrived here agree that the loss
of life will amount TO 60, but they admit
that there were probably five or more
stowaways on the steamer and that the
five children, known to have been on
board the steamer. We're either drowned
,r died of exposure. So it is possible that
the loss of life will reach over 40.