The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1904-05-05
A Large Number of Sightseers
Viewing the Gunbost Nash
Vile at st. Louis Injured.
FERRY STEAMER OVERLOADED.
The hurricane Deck Gave Way and
the Crowd Was Preoipitated
to the Deck Below.
Several Persons Attempted 10 Jump
Into the River Thinking the Yes
sci Mas Sinking. But Cooler
Heads Prevented Il.

St louis. May The hurricane
roof Of the ferry steamer Alorzo c.
Church collapsed early Sunday even
ing while the steamer was crowded
with sightseers viewing the United
States gunboat Nashville at anchor in
the river harbor here. and about 20
people were injured. a number of them
being reported In a critical condition
The ferry steamer Ia been carrying
crowds all day from the foot OF Nalen-
tine street out into midstrcam past the
Nashville and back again. No stop
was made al the Nashville owing %
tho heavy food current running. As
the ferry boat was rounding she Nash
vile and starting back TO dock the
crowd on the upper deck rushed 90 the
steamers side and out upon the HURT
cane deck. The strain was too great
and the roof collapsed. prccipitating
large number Of people 20 feet 20 the
deck below. which was also crowded.
Instantly a panic ensucd. Women
screamed. some from injury and some
from fright. and several persons at
tempted TO jump into the river think
ing tho boat was sinking Cooler
heads prevented this and efforts were
at once begun to succor the injured.
A distress signal was blown from tho
boats whistle and tugs hurried along
side. but % was deemed best % pro.
coed 90 land and not attempt 90 place
the injured On the tugs Ambuianres
had been hastily called and % after
The Aionzo G.. Church had reached
shore the injured were being convey.
ed To the city hospital and many
u~tishhorinE homes.
Capt. McCicuand said tho boat wal
/, substantially built and that the acct
I dcnt had been due Co the excessive
weight on thc roof Passengers Do
clare therc were more than 1000 per
: sons on the steamer. and thai The del
: that collapsed should not rave beei
used FOR passengers The captain %
the steamer says IL was not owe
crowded.
9 An eyewitness iu describing the az
n cilcnt said. when The steamer wa
about a hundred yards from the Mail
: vile the action OF several sailors nca
g one OF the guns attracted the after
p Dor OF the persons on the roof OF a
L ferry and a rush vas made 90 the POI
70 side OF the ferry
il Girls on tho ferry were waivin
IS their handkerchief when there was
ripping noise. quickly followed hy o.
crack Of breaking tmhers
"A second later. with a crash th'
n shook the steamer. the entire port $50
OF the roof gave way. hurting mo-
than one hundred passengers 70 o
Sc lower deck. 90 fcct below whore th'
o- leli upon the struggling crowd whi'
IS had heard tho warning noise and We
~ trying TO escape The broken railil
's and part OF the collapsed deck fel ID
~ on them.
Before the sound OF the crash pa
died away. tho 1000 passengers We
IN a panic. those nearest the dang
er spot tearing the clothes from WON
and children IN their frenzy.
IN. 1T was said the roof Of The Ter
on boats are not equipped for ~passeng,
&C but owing to the crowds ~passeng'
were allowed on all parts OF the DO