Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-08
Passenger Steamers, the Insu-
laire and the Lisban, Col ]
Tide Near Marseilles
THE LIBAN SINKS RAPIDLY
The Blechamp, Pilot Boat, and Other
Vessels, Went to the Rescue at Once,
But Out of 200 Passengers 1t Is
Thought Only About Half Were
Saved-oriein of Disaster.

MdfSt lies, June IA terrible sup
ping disaster occurred little distance
from this port at noon Sunday, when
two passenger steamers, the Insulaire
and the Liban, both belonging to the
Fraissenet Steamship Company, of
Marseilles. came into collision. The
Liban sank and over 100 of her passen-
gers ond crew persisted.
The steamer Liban left Marseilles
Sunday morning on her regular pas
senger trip to Bastia Corsica, AMI was
run down and sunk by the Insulaire
off the Marie islands. The collision was
witnessed from the pilot boat Blechamp
which was about two miles distant.
The Blechamp Immediately repaired to
the spot to render assistance. The
force of the collision had cut a great
hole n the Liban's side, and she al
ready was taking water rapidly. Her
captain saw the only chance was TO run
the steamer aground, and the liban
was headed full speed for the shore;
collision, and While still in deep water.
the forepart of the steamer plunged
beneath the waves, and a few minutes
later she had entirely disappeared.
In the meantime the Blechamp the
steamer Balkan, also belonging 10 the
Fraissenet company, and other vessels
had drawn near the sinking ship, and
were making desperate efforts to res
cue those on board. The Blechamp
picked UP forty persons, many of whom
We're at the point of exhaustion The
Balkan rescued thirty-seven passengers
and UP to the present it is known that
in addition To the passengers seven
teen Of the crew We're also saved.
Officers of the steamer Balkan de-
scribe the scene just before the Liban
disappeared terrific one. AS the
vessel Mas sinking she was inclined to
such an angle that her masts struck
the water, making the work of rescue
most difficult. Many human beings were
clinging TO the laundering vessel and
making eespairing cries as she went
down. At the same time the boilers
exploded intensifying the horrors. For
a few minutes the victims were seen
struggling in the sea, then the water
closed over them and all was silence.
OF about 200 passengers that We're
aboard the Liban it is feared that at
least half We're drowned.
The Balkan launched three boats
and III. other vessels did all possible to
save TIE victims in the short time that
elapsed between the time of the COLI
sion and the sinking of the Liban.
Up to o'clock in the afternoon thirty
bodias had beer recovered
Tie list of passengers on board the
Liban has not yet been issued. the
Offices of the Fraissenet company being
closed. but it is believed that more
than $50 embarked al this port.
1t is stated that the collision was
due . the following circumstances:
TIE Liban was putting out to sea
just as the steamer Insulaire was max
ing 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 a collision.
One OF the survivors. a passengers,
gives the following details OF the dis
aSter.
The weather was splendid when we
steamed out of Marseilles and all the
passengers We're below at table when
the shreiking whistles gave the alarm
On coming on deck | saw the Insulaire
approaching us as full speed. The
captain gave several orders. but not at
tempt was apparently made to change
the steamers course. Some of the pas
sengers reproached the captain for his
negligence in this matter. When the
inslllar crashed into US a great panic
prevailed on board. Attempts were
made to lower the boats, but only one
boat was got away and in that | and
few others escaped to the Blechamp.
AS the vessel sank, bow first, the pas
sengers took refuge on the after deck,
which was covered by an awning. This
as the Liban foundered, became cage
in which the passengers were caught
and dragged down beneath the waters.
Many of the rescued were badly IN
jured, in the collision. The lnsulaire
sus. ained considerable damage to her
bows. hut managed to reach port safely.
Thousands of persons gathered around
the mortgage, hospitals, and on the
ouays turnout the evening. Thus far
only four bodies have been Identified.
The French steamer Liban was a
three masted schooner rugged vessel,
29s feet long, and 2,30S tonnage gross.
She was built at GLASGOW in 1882.
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