The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-06-24
HUNDREDS ARE DEAD
Steamer on East River Burned with
Excursionists on Board.
Yomen and Children Jumped Over
board and Were Drowned or
Perished by Ffre-Rescue of
Victims Impossible.

New York, June 16.-One of the
most appalling disasters in the his
lory of New York, tragic in its i'm
nensity, dramatic in its episodes and
ieepfy pathetic in the tender age of
most of its victims, took place in the
East river at the entrance to Long
Island sound, within a short distance
If the New York shore and within
sight of thousands of persons, the ma
iority of whom were powerless to min
mize the extent of the catastrophe.
BY the burning to the waters edge OF
he General Slocum, a three-decker
excursion steamer, the largest in these
waters, more than 600 persons, the
majority of whom were women and
children, were burned to death or
drowned by jumping overheard or by
being thrown into the whirlpool by
he lurching of the vessel and the
frantic rush of the panic-stricken pas
Iengers. On board the vessel were
members of the ST. Marks German
Lutheran church, who were being car
led to Locust Grove on a picnic ex-
:ursion.
The Slocum had reached a point
near the Sunken Meadows off 135th
street, Manhattan, which is at the ex-
RENE eastern end of Sandals island,
when fire broke out in lunch room
IN the forward deck. The blaze was
caused by the overturning of pot of
grease. The Roadway of the vessel
| and a high wind almost instantly
aimed the insignificant flame into
Jury. Efforts were at once directed
TO subduing the fire, but they were
| utile. The blaze spread aft with al
most lightning rapidity. Capt. Van
schaik, in the pilot house, had been
informed of the outbreak of the fire
ind, realizing the danger of the hun
| ireds of excursionists, decided to send
| ais vessel to shore at 134th street.
At this point there are number Of
lumber yards and several huge oil
anks and the captain was warned
hat to attempt to land at this point
| would endanger the property and per-
laps further imperil the scores of peo-
| Die who had already been frightened
nto a state oil almost uncomfortable
| excitement.
AS the fire increased the struggle
| gain point of vantage at the stern
,ecame frightful. Women and chill
| iren crowded against the atfer-rail
| Until it gave way and hundreds were
Mshed off into the river. After this
| here was q steady stream Of persons
Who jumped or were throwf into the
| Eater. In the wake of the Slocum
Is she hurried up stream was a line
If little black specks marking the
leads of bodies of those who had
fought to escape the roaring furnace
| N the ship by throwing themselves
overheard. Few of those saved by the
mall boats had on life preservers.
| 1t no time during the progress of the
| ire was there an opportunity to either
| over the life boats or get the life
| oreserverS cut from underneath the
;eats. This perhaps gives an idea of
| he rapidity with which the flames
| swept the decks. 1t was an experience
| narrowing and terrible and that any
| escaped alive seems wonderful
| Through all the wild panic, during all
| ihat inferno, with fire and smoke sur
BOUNDING them, the officers and men OF
the doomed boat remained at their
| posts, but they were powerless to
avert the catastrophe.
The Slocum got within so feet of
| the northwest point of North Brother
island and there stopped in the shall
| low water. 1t was just before she
| beached that the hurricane deck, the
supports of which had burned away,
| fell with it's load of women and chill
dren, adding to the panic and borrow
of those on the deck below. Very
soon after parts of the second and
third decks also caved in.