New-York tribune., 1902-07-22
FIFTY DROWN IN THE EDBE
AN EXCURSION STEAMER WAS CUT
DOWN BY A TUG.
COUPLES DANCING ON DECK WHEN THE
SHOCK OF DISASTER OVERLOOK THEM.

SOOfl>ES DANCING ON DECk WHEN IfiE
SHOCK OF DISASTER OVERLOOK THEM
Hamburg, July 21-The steamship Primus. of
Homburg, with 1S5 passengers board. was
cut In two and sunk by the tug Hansa on the
river EIbe at 1870 O'Clock this morning.
So far as is ascertainable. about fifty persons
were drowned. Thirteen bodies already have
been recovered. The Prmus was excursion
steamer from Buxtehude. Province of Hanover.
Prussia. The disaster occurred between Blanke-
nese and Nienstedten. Among the passengers
were the members CT the Eilbeck Male Choral
Society.
At the time of the accident the Primus was
crossing the river channel Blankenese
from the southern into the northern fairway.
According to witnesses aboard the Hansa, the
movement made too preciptately. The
Primus was struck by the tug. and the
Hansa endeavored to push her ashore but the
tug grounded soon. and the ships parted. The
Primus then sank. In the interval. however,
about fifty of her passengers were able to reach
the Hansa by means of ropes and ladders. Sew
enty more were picked up by the tugs boats,
while others swan ashore.
The terrible panic that occurred on the Primus
when the Hansa struck her rendered the ef-
forts to save her passengers almost useless.
Fortunately the steamer Dolphin came up i'm
mediately and succeeded in saving sixty OF
those en- board the sinking steamer. while a
number of other boats assisted in the work of
Some of the survivors furnish graphic de-
scriptiCns of the awful suddenness OF the dis
aster According to their story. the band was
playing and many couples were dancing deck
when the crash of the collision came like
thunderbolt. The vessel gave great list. her
deck taking such angle that ii impossible
for the passengers 10 keep their feet. Those
below scrambled up the cOmpanionways, but
most OF the persons in the saloon were drowned
Men fought for their own safet yregardless OF
others. In the midst of the confusion the boil
ers exploded. adding to the horrors of the scene
and many persons are said TO have been injured
by flying splnters OF metal. More Of the
PrimuS's passengers would have been saved by
the ropes thrown from the Hansa had it not
been that before those who seized the ropes
could be hauled on board they were pulled
off from the lines they had grasped by other
persons struggling in the water. and all were
drowned in the awful confusion.
This morning enormous crowds poured out
from Hamburg to the scene OF the collision. and
the shore thronged with thousands Of
friends and relatives of those aboard the sunken
steamer who had come in heartrending anxiety
10 learn the fate of their friends Many sad
scenes were Witnessed the bodies of those lost
were washed upon the beach or brought ashore
by divers.
An attempt VIII Immediately be made to float
the vessel and when this is done II Is believed
more bodies Will be found Estimates OF the
dead vary from fifty 10 sixty.
Many OF the survivors were injured. though
seriously
The disaster caused deep gloom here. Many
children lost both their parents. The choral
society which was on board the excursion
steamer consisted mainly Of workmen There
were no foreign passengers. Captain Petersen
of the Prmus swan ashore, and gave himself
I'm, fba oil n % Of rba
also surrendered.
The Primus was the oldest boat on the Elbe
She built in England in 1914, and had never
before met with accident.
The Hamburg American Line issued state
ment TO the effect that the weather was fine,
the moon was shining and that both vessels
were steering absolutely clear OF each other.
Suddenly the Primus when about 4J0 feet from
the Hansa, put her rudder hard aport and
crossed the bows OF the latter. This mistake
continues the statement, rendered a collision
unavoidable. The only possible step for the
Hansa 10 take-namely TO go full speed astern
was carried out Immediately. but without
avail. Less than minute elapsed between the
time the Primus changed her course and the
collision. Boats were Immediately lowered from
the Hausa, and ropes and ladders were thrown
overheard Fifty persons were rescued by the
boats. At the same time the Hansa tried 10
push the Primus ashore. but. being Of deeper
draught; grounded herself before the passenger
boat. The Primus hoated downstream and sank
three hundred feet from the Hansa."
The tug Hansa owned by the Hamburg
American Line. is 157 feet long, of 500 horse
power, and has a tonnage Of about 500.
FIFTY-EIGHT HARvEsTERs LOST.
DROWNED WHILE CROSSING THE voLGA IN
FERRYBoAT.
ST. Petersburg. July 21.-A ferryboat while
crossing the River Volga to-day at Beresniki.
sank. and ffty-eight harvesters were drowned.