New-York tribune., 1903-06-08
ONE HUNDRED PERISH.
TITO STEAMERS CRASH
The Liban, soith Many Passengers,
Sank Near MmseiIles.

NarseiIles June IA terrible shipping dis
,sfe- occurred at little distance from this port
81 noon to-day. when two passenger steamers,
the Insulaire and the Lfban both belonging to
the Fraissinit Steamship Company, of Mar
seilles came into collision. The Lihan sank and
over one hundred OF her passengers and crew
rerished-
The steamer Libsn left Marseilles this morn
ing on her regular passenger trip TO Bastia. Cor
sica and was run down and sunk by the IN
sulaire of Marie Island The collision was
witnessed from the pilot boat Blechanlp, which
was about two miles distant. The Blechamp
Immediately went TO the spot TO render assist
nnce The force OF the collision had cut a wide
rent in the Libans side, and she was leaking
fast Her captain saw that his only chance was
70 run the steamer aground before she sank IN
teep water. The Lfban headed full speed
FOR the shore, but in seventeen minutes after
the collision, and while still some distance from
shallow water. the bow Of the steamer plunged
beneath the waves and q few minutes later she
entirely disappeared.
II the mean time the Blechamp the steamer
Balkan, also belonging TO the Fraissinet Com
pany and other vessels had drawn near the
sinking ship and were making strenuous efforls
10 rescue those on board. The Blechamp picked
up forty persons many Of whom were at the
point Of exhaustion and were only revived after
seven passengers. and il is known that in addi-
,ion 70 the messengers seventeen OF the crew
were saved
The crew of the steamer Balkan describe the
scene just before the Liban disappeared as
terrible one As the vessel was sinking she in
cIined TO such an angle that her masts struck
the water causing eddies, which made the work
of rescue most difficult A mass of human
beings was clinging TO the foundering vessel and
rttering despairing cries as she went down
The boilers exploded and made horrifying
spectacle. For few moments the victims were
seen struggling in the sea; then the waves closed
over them and ell was silent. OF about two
hundred passengers who were aboard the Llban,
II is feared that at least half were drowned
The Balkan launched three boats. and the
other succoring vessels did all possible 10 save
the victims il the short time that elapsed be-
tween the time Of the collision and the sinking
Of the Liban-
ID 10 3 o'clock this afternoon thirty bodies
had been recovered.
The list OF the passengers on board the Lihan
has not vet been issued, the Offices Of the Frais-
einet company being closed but it is believed
that over two hundred and forty embarked at
this port
The Liban was putting out to sea just as the
steamer Insulaire was making for the haroor'
Il is believed that Marie Island which lies OH
the port, nld lne VESSELS IAc-i4
each other until il was too late 10 avoid
collision
One Of the survivors. passenger. gives the
following details OF the disaster:
The weather was splendid when we steamed
out Of Marseilles Harbor, and all the passen-
gers were below at table when the shrleklng OF
whistles gave the alarm. On coming on DECK l
sew the Insulaire approaching US al ful speed
The captain gave several orders, but no attempt
was apparently made to change the steamer
course Some Of the passengers reproacheQ lhe
captain for his negligence in this matter When
the InsuIafre crashed into us e great panic pre-
vailed on board. Attempts were nlaoe 10 lower
the boats. but only one boat was got away, ano
IN that ane & few others escaped TO the pliot
boat Biechamp. AS the vessel sank, bow nrsl'
fhe messengers took refuge on the afteroecK-
which was covered by awning This, as the
T.hau founGered, became cage 10 the paSseil-
gers dragging them down beneath the waters
MANY of the rescued were badly injured In
the collision. The Insulatre sustained consio-
erable damage TO her bows, but managed 10
reach port safely. Thousands Of people gath
cred around the morgue. hospitals and on the
ersze through the evening Thus far only four
fodies have been identified
The French steamer Jiban was three masteo'
schooner rigred vessel 29s feet long and OF 2o9s
b1f ar Glasgow IN 1SS2.