Gilpin observer., 1903-06-11
SHIPS CRASH AT SEA
STEAMERS COLLIDE AND LEAN
SINKS WITH OVER 1o7.
Terrified People Cling to Ship as Il
Plunees to Bottom-Eoisr Explodes
as Vessel Goes Down, Aedina 20 the
Horror and confuoicn.


as Vessel Goes Down, AGdna 20 the
Horror and confusicn.
Marseilles, June S.-Moro than 100
persons, passengers and crew, were
drowned near Merseilles in collision
between the Insulaire and the Liban,
passenger steamers belonging to the
Fraissinet Steamship company of Mar
seilles. The Liban sank and III pas
sengers and seamen were saved, while
the remainder perished. The Liban
was on her regular trip to Bastia. Cor
sica, and was run down and. sunk by
the InsulaiTe off Marie island.
The collision was witnessed from
the pilot boat Blechamp. The Bic
champ Immediately repaired to the
spot to render aid. The force OF the
collision had cut great hole in the
Liban's side and it was already max
ing water rapidly. The captain saw
that the only chance was to run the
steamer aground and the Liban was
headed full speed for the shore, but
within seventeen minutes after the col
lision and while still in deep water the
iC4tPeAli VI Vic o~NdA.4N- PAuAe7N-A -
meath the waves and few minutes
later it had disappeared.
In the meantime the Blechamp, the
steamer Balkan and other vessels had
drawn near the steamer and were
making desperate efforts to rescue
those or board. The Blechamp res
cued forty persons. The Balkan res-
cued thirty-seven passengers and 1t is
known that in addition to the passen-
gers seventeen of the crew we're also
saved. The officers OF the Balkan &c.
scribe the scene just before the Libal
disappeared as a terrible one. AS the
vessel was sinking it was inclined 10
such an angle that her masts struck
the water, causing an eddy which
made the work of rescue most difficult.
A mass of human beings was clinging
to the laundering vessel and uttering
despairlng cries as it went down. At
the same time the boilers exploded. IN
tensifying the horrors. For a few mo-
ments the victims were seen strus-
Cling in the sea, then the waves closed
over them and all was silent. or
about 200 passengers who were
aboard the Liban it is feared shat half
were drowned. Forty bodies have
been recovered.
The list of the passengers has not
yet been issued, the Offices of the
Fraissenet company being closed, but
it is believed that over 240 embarked
at this port. 1t is said that the col.
lision was due to the following circum-
stances: The Liban was putting out
to sea just as the Insulaire was max
ing for the harbor. Marie island.
which lies off the entrance to the port,
hid the vessels from each other until
1t was too late to avoid collision.
One of the survivors. passenger.
gives the following details of the dis
aster: THE weather was splendid
when we steamed out OF Marseilles
harbor and all the passengers were be-
low at table when the shrieking of
whistles gave the alarm. On coming
on deck l saw the Insulaire approach
ing us at full speed. The captain gave
several orders. but no attempt appar.
emily was made to change the steam
er's course. Some of the passengers
reproached the captain for his negli.
gence in this matter When the In
sulaire crashed into us a great panic
prevailed on board. Attempts were
made to lower the boats. but only one
boat was gotten away. and In that
and few others escaped to the
Blechamp. AS the vessel sank. bow
first. the passengers took refuge on
the after deck. which was covered by
an awning. This. as the Liban found
cred, became cage in which the pas.
sengers were caught and dragged
down beneath the waters.
Many Of the rescued were badly in.
jured in the collision. The Insulaire
sustained considerable damage to her
bows. but reached port safely. Thou.
sands Of persons gathered around the
morgue. hospitals and on the quays
DEATH WATCH SLAIN IN JAIL