Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-11
Terrible Shipping Disaster Off
the Marie Islands Near
Marseilles.
STEAMERS IN COLLISION
The Liban Run Down and Sunk by
the 1nsulairc-Iiban Went Down
before Help Could Reach Her
-BOiIcrs ExpIOdcd-AbOut
400 People Rescued.

Marseilles. June T-Over leo persons
were drowned here to-day as the result
of terrible shipping disaster.
The Insuairc and the biban, passenger
steamers of tho Fraissenet Steamship
company of Marseiles, were in collision
near this port.
The Liban sank, carrying down with
her moro than 100 of her passengers as
well as her crew.
The Iiban left Marseiles this morning
on her regular passenger trip to Bastia,
Corsica, and was run down and sunk by
the 1nsulaire of the Marie islands. The
collision was witnessed from the pilot
boat Rlechamp, which was about two
miles distant. The Blechamp Immediately
went to the spot to give assistance
Tho force of the collision cut wide
rent in the .iban's side and she was al
ready taking in water rapidly. Her cap
tain saw their only chance was to run
the steamer aground before she sank
in deep water and the Liban was headed
full spc ed for the shore. but within II
minutes of the collision and while still
some distance from shallow water the
forepart of tho steamer plunged beneath
the waves and few minutes later she
had entirely DISAPPEARED.
In the meantime the Blechamp. the
steamer Balkan, also belonging to the
Faissenet company and other vessels
had drawn near the sinking ship and
were making strenuous efforts to rescue
those on board. The Blechamp picked
up 40 persons, many of whom were at the
point of exhaustion and were only re-
vived by the attentions they received on
board.
The Balkan also rescued 81 passengers.
and up to the present it is known that in
addition to the passengers II of the crew
were also saved
1t is stated that tho collision was due
to the following circumstances: The
Lihan was putting out to sea just as the
steamer 1nsulaire was making for the
harbor. Marie island. which lies off the
entrance to the port, hid the vessels from
each other until it was too late to avoid
collision.
The crew Of the Balkan describes the
scene just before the Lban disappeared
as a fearful one. As the vessel was sink
ing 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 clingng to the laundering vessel
aud uttered despairing cries as she went
down At the same time the boilers OK
pl"ded.
For few moments the victims were
seen struggling in the sea, then tho waves
closed over them. OF about two hundred
passengers who were abaard it is feared
at least half were drowned.
The Balkan launched three boats and
the other succoring vessels did all posi-
bic to save the victims in the short time
| that elapsed between the time of the col
lision and the sinking Of the Liban.
Up to five o'clock this Afternoon -
bodies had been recovered.
| One of the survivors. passenger, gives
the following details of the disaster:
"rhc weather was splendid when W.
steamed out Of Marseillcs harhor. and al
the passengers were below at table whcr
the shricking Of whistles gave the alarm
! on coming on deck I saw tho 1nsulair'
approaching us at full speed The cap
tain gave several orders. hut no attemp
was apparently made to change the
steamers course. Some Of the passenger!
lrcproa ched the captain for his negligence
| in this matter. When the lnSulair'
| crashed into us n great panic prevailed
on board. Attempts were made to lowe
the boats. but only one boat was go
|away. and in that 7 and few others cs
capped to the pilot boat Blechamp. AS The
vessel sank bow first the passengers tool
refuge on the after deck. which was coy
cred by an awning. This. rs the Lhai
Ifoundered. became n cage to the passen
gers dragging them down beneath tn
waters
Many Of the rescued were badly injured
in the collision. The Insulaire sustained
considerable damage to her bows. hui
managed to reach port safely.