The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-06-17
Loaded Down With Sunday School Ex-
rsionists-Frightful Panic Ensued
MANY Jumped Overboard-Others
Perished In Flames.


more than a thousand excursionists,
the Sunday school pupils of st. Mark 8
Lutheran church, relatives and friends.
At 1 o'clock this morning, according
to a statement issued by Coroner
O'Gormon, 4S3 bodies had been recov.
cred from the destroyed vessel, burned
to death or drowned and found on the
shores to which they had been washed
or picked up in the river, to which
they had jumped or fallen from the
burning vessel Tugs are arriving
hourly with bodies from North Broth
er island.
New York, June 16.-The three
decked excursion steamer General Slo-
cum of the Knickerbocker Steamboat
Co., burned to the waters edge Off
North Brother island, East river, We'd
nesday morning, resulting in the death
through burning or drowning Of at
least 600 persons, mostly women and
children. -Four hundred and eighty
FIVE bodies have been recovered and
divers are still at work taking bodies
from the hold Of the steamer. The re-
mains Of many persons who leaped
into the river have not yet been found
and it will be many hours before the
List Of dead is anywhere near com-
plete.
The General Slocum, one of the iarg-
est excursion steamers in these wa
tiers, left Third street, East river, est
$3.50 o'clock in the morning, having on
board the annual Sunday school excur-
sion of st. Marks German, Lutheran
church, located in Sixth street. Her
destination was Locust GS6ve, oifes
the many resorts on ttEJhg Island
Sound. The excursion was in charge
of the Rev. George G. Haas, pastor Of
the church. The vessel was command
ed by Capt William Van Schaik, .one
Of the best known excursion boat cap
tains in New York harbor. The num-
Der of excursionists on bsartl fs' varl,
ously estimated at from LS00 to, $500,
but according to an official statement
issued by thea Knickerbocker Steam
boat Co., owners of the Slocum, the
number Of passengers was 879, that. be-
ing one-third of the vessel's' licensed
capacity.
The steamer after leaving her dock
proceeded UP the East river, all three
Of her decks being crowded with
merry-makers. Bands played and the
great side-wheeler was decorated WITH
flags from stern to STEM
How the Fire Started.
The Slocum had reached a point
near the Sunken Meadows, off 135th
street, Manhattan, which Is at the ex.
IRENE eastern end of Randall's island.
when fire broke out in lunch room on
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
famed the insignificant flame into
fury. Efforts were at once directed
to subduing the fire, but they were FIJI,
tile. The blaze spread aft with almost
lightning rapidity. Capt Van Schaik
in the pilot house headed the big
steamer for North Brother island, half
a mile away.
By this time the flames were rush
ing by leaps and bounds from the Tor.
ward part OF the ship aft.
The excursionists, but a few mo-
ments before in the full enjoyment of
an ideal summers day on Long Island
Sound, were driven to the after part
Of the steamer to escape the heat,
flames and smoke that were constantly
Policemen and deckhands
aboard the boat struggled hard to
quiet the panic, but their efforts were
In vain.
The steamers whistle was blowing
'or assistance and tugs and other near
by craft answered to the call. Before
any OF the boats could reach the burn
ng steamer, however, the frantic won.
en- and children began to Jump over
board. The current was strong and
here are many whirlpools IN the chan
sel. The boats that always abound II.
he vicinity picked many persons from
he water, but these were only small
number OF those that were seen strug-
Cling In the swift current.
Stood by Their Posts.
AS the fire increased the struggle 10
,ain point Of vantage at the stern be- |
.ame frightful. Women and children
crowded against the after rail until
t gave way and hundreds were pushed |
nto the river. After this there was q
'teady stream Of persons who jumped |
,r were thrown into the water.
The email boats rescued all those In |