The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-08
PANIC AS BOAT SINKS; 100 DIE
PASSENGERS on A CROWDED
STEAMER FIGHT FOR LIFE.
Collision OF Marseiiles Sends the Liban to
the BOttOn-Was Leaving Port for
Corsica - Incoming Steamer Also
.speetol Gable DESPATCH to THE SUN.

Special Gable Despafeh to THE SUN.
MARsEILLEs, June IA disastrous steam
ship collision occurred this afternoon near
Marie Island, within sight of Marseilles,
by which many persons were drowned,
some accounts placing the total number
at nearly 200.
The steamer Lban, a vessel of 5000 tons,
was leaving this port for Corsica, with more
than two hundred passengers on board,
when just as she was rounding a corner of
Marie Island the steamer Insulaire. bound
in, which had been hidden by the island,
appeared so suddenly that it was impos-
sibe to avoid a collision The Insulaire
struck the Lban's side with tremendous
force, tearing huge rent through which
the water rushed in great volume.
The Insulares bows were badly dam
aged. Her captain put on speed and or
dered his crew to shift the forward cargo
aft so as to lift the bows out of the water.
He managed to reach the port, where he
anchored with the steamer well down by
the stern.
ing. Her captain headed her for the shore.
hoping to beach her, but she filled so rapidly
that her fore part was submerged in seven-
teen minutes, and few minutes later she
completely foundered
pilot boat which was two miles away,
saw the accident and made for the scene
as quickly as possible. She saved several
persons and picked up eight bodies.
The steamer Balkan saw the Iiban sinking
later, and despatched boats which rescued
forty passengers and seventeen of the
Iiban's crew. The Iiban was then heel
ing, and one Of the Balkans boats escaped
with difficulty from the vortex made by
the sinking vessel
4 few moments later the 1ihan's deck
was torn off amid the shrieks of the terri
fed people who we're clinging to the rig
cling. Then the steamer vanished and
utter silence reigned. The Austrian
steamer Rakocsy saved some Of the Lihan's
passengers.
No reliable figures concerning the loss
of life can yet he obtained but 1t is prob
able that more than a hundred persons
we're lost. Thirty bodies have been re-
covered.
A boatman who saw the accident says
there was terrible panic on the deck Of
the Liban, all on board Of her madly strug
Cling TO reach the boats As the vessels
bows sank the passengers rushed to the
stern, which was covered by an awning
and when the steamer foundered this acted
like a net and dragged those underneath
it down
There was great excitement and con-
sternation ashore. The populace crowded
around the hospital to which those rescued
were taken. The Mayor ordered that the
fullest assistance be given the sufferers
Both steamers were owned by the Fraissenet
company
One Of the Iibans passengers says that
when the whistles began to blow unusually
he went to the bridge. The Insulaire was
then approaching at full speed, The cap
tain of the Liban was giving orders to head
his vessel in all directions, but the turn Of
the wheel which could have saved the vesse
was not given Some of the passengers
began to reproach the captain for what
appea red to them to he culpahle negli-
Qencp