The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-08
Ffaissenet COnpanY's Liner Goes Down With 200
 People Aboard
BOILER EXPLODES AND
 INTENSIFIES THE HORROR
Desperate Efforts Made to Rescue the Drowning People Who Uttered Despalrlng crles-Other
 Vessels Assist.

Marseiiles, June 7.-More than 100 per- sons were drowned near Marceiles today in collision between the Insulaire and the LIban passenger steamers belonging to the Faqissenet steamship company of Marseiles. The Liban sank and seventy seven passengers and seventeen of the crew were saved while the remainder perished. The steamer Liban left Mar seilles this morning on her regular pas senger trip to Bastia, Corsica, and was run down and sunk by the Insulalre of the Maire Islands.
 The collision was witnessed by the pilot boat Bleehamp. which was about two miles distant. The Elechamp immediately repaired to the spot to render assistance. The force of the collision had cut a great hole in the Liban's side and 1t was fllI- Ing rapidly. The captain saw that the only chance was to run the steamer aground and the Liban was headed full speed for the shore. Within II minutes after the collision and while still in deep water. the fore part of the steamer plunged beneath the waves and a few minutes later 1t had disappeared.
 Otner vessels 10 Rescue.
 In the meantime the Blechamp and the steamer Balkan, also belonging to the Fraissinet company, and other vessels had drawn near the sinking 4hip and were making desperate efforts to rescue those on board The Blechamp picked up forty persons, many of whom were at the point of exhaustion. The Balkan rescued thir- ty-seven passengers and up to the present 1t Is known that in addition to the pas sengers seventeen of the crew were also saved.
 Officers of the steamer Balkan describe the scene Just before the Liban dsap- peared as terrible one As the vessel was sinking. 1t was inclined to such an angle that her masts struck the water, causing an eddy which made the work of rescue most difficult. mass of human beings was cllnging to the foun- dering vessel and utering despairing cries as 1t went down At the same time the boiler exploded intensifying the horrors Tor a few moments the victims were seen struggling in the sea, then the waves closed over them and all was silent Of about 200 passengers who were aboard the Liban, 1t is feared that half were drown ed.
 The Balkan launched three boats and the other vessels did all possible to save the victims In the short time that elapsed between the time of the collision and the sinking of the Liban.
 Up to 5 o'clock this afternoon thirty bodies had been recovered.
 List Not Insured.
 The list of the passengers on board the Liban has not yet been issued, the of- fees of the Fralssenet company being closed, but 1t Is thought over 240 embark ed at this port.
 It Is stated that the collision was due to the following circumstances:
 The Liban was putting out to sea just as the steamer Insulaire was making for the harbor Mares Island, which lies off the entrance to the port. hid the ves- sells from each other until 1t was too late to avoid a collision.
 One of the survivors, a passenger, gives the following details of the disaster:
 The weather was splendid when we steamed out of Marselles harbor and all the passengers were below at table when the shrieking of whistles gave the alarm. On coming on deck I saw the Insulaire approaching us at full speed. The cap tain gave several orders but no attempt apparently was made to change the steamers course. Some of the passengers reproached the captain for his negligence in this matter. When the Insulaire crash ed into us. great panic prevailed on board.
 Only One Boat Lowered.
 Attempts were made to lower the boats, but only one boat was got away and in that I and a few others escaped to the Blechamp. As the vessel sank. bow first. the passengers took refuge on the aft deck, which was covered by an awning. This as the Liban foundered became a cage in which the passengers were caught and dragged down beneath the waters.
 Many of the rescued were badly injur- ed fin the collision The Insulaire sus- tained considerable damage to her bows. but managed to reach port safely. Thous- ands of persons gathered round the morgue. hospitals and on the quays throughout the evening. Thus far only four bodies have been identified.
 Denies Report.