Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-08
SHIPS IN COLLISION,
One Hundred Perish in French Ma
 rine Disaster.


 MARSEILLES, June 8.-A terrible shipping disaster occurred a little dis tance from this port when two pas senger steamers, the Insulaire and the Liban, both belonging to the Fraisse- net Steamship company of Marseilles, came into collision. The Liban sank, and over 100 of her passengers and crew per1shed.
 The steamer Liban left Marseilles on her regular passenger trip to Bastia, Corsica, and was run down and sunk by the Insulaire off the Maire islands. The collision was witnessed from the pilot boat Blechamp, which was about two miles distant, and it immediately repaired to the spot to render assist ance.
 The force of the collision cut a wide rent in the Liban's side, and she was already making water rapidly. Her captain saw their only chance was to run the steamer aground before she sank in deep water, and the Liban was headed full speed for the shore, but within seventeen minutes of the colli- sion and while still some distance from shallow water the fore part of the steamer plunged beneath the waves, and a few minutes later she had en- tirely disappeared.
 In the meantime the Blechamp, the steamer Balkan, also belonging to the Fraissenet company, and other vessels had drawn near the sinking ship and were making strenuous efforts to res cue those on board. The Blechamp picked up forty persons, many of whom were at the point of exhaustion and were only revived by the atten- tions they received on board, The Bal kan also rescued thirty seven passen- gers, and up to the present it is known that in addition to the passengers sev- enteen of the crew were also saved.
 The crew of the steamer Balkan de- scribe the scene just before the Liban disappeared as terrible one. As the vessel was sinking she was inclined to 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 were clinging to the laundering vessel and uttered despairing cries as she went down. At the same time the boilers exploded and produced horrifying spectacle. For 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 it is feared that at least half were drowned.
 The Balkan launched three boats, 1 III 1Y1s T T. possible to save the victims in the short time that elapsed between the time of the collision and the sinking of the Liban.
 Thirty bodies have been recovered so far.
 The list of the passengers on board the Liban has not yet been issued, but it is believed that over 24O embarked at this port. The collision was due to the following circumstances: The Li- ban was putting out to sea just as the steamer Insulaire was making for the harbor Maire island, which lies off the entrance to the port, hid the yes sels from each other until it was too late to avoid collision.
 A survivor gives the following de tails:
 ''The weather was splendid when we steamed out of Marseilles, and all the passengers were below at table when the shrieking of whistles gave the alarm. Coming on deck, saw the In sulaire approaching us at full speed The captain gave several orders, but no attempt was apparently made to change the steamers course. Some of the passengers reproached the captain for his negligence in this matter. When the Insulaire crashed into us a great panic prevailed on board. At tempts were made to lower the boats, but only one boat was got away, and in that I and few others escaped to the pilot boat Blechamp"
 Many of the rescued were badly in jured in the collision. The Insulaire sustained considerable damage to her bows, but managed to reach port safe lys