Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-24
Life Preservers Not of
Value on the SIocum.
Evidence Adduced at the New
York Inquest.
Total Number of Dead Estimated at
One Thousand-e87 Bodies Have
Thus Far Been Reeovered-several
Hundred Still Missing.

New York, June 23.-Much Of the
testimony given at the inquest, today,
into the Gen. Slocum disaster went to
show that the life preservers on the
steamer were practically useless.
Capt. Van Schaick was brought into
the court room on "A stretcher. He APP
parently was suffering greatly, but eX-
pressed a Willingness to undergo an
examination by the coroner He was
ordered back to the hospital. however,
and his examination postponed until
next week.
The wreck Of the wrecked Slocum
was raised, today. and a great deal of
water was pumped out of the hold.
search was made for bodies, but none
was recovered. A thorough cXplora-
ton of the wreckage has not yet been
Eiade, and it is possible that tomorrow
bodies will be found in the entanglc-
rnent of timbers and machinery.
Twenty four additional bodies were
recovered. today. bringing the total
number of known dead up to 800. one
hundHed policemen who have been
naking a canvass Of all districts
wilere persons were reported to be
missing. completed their work, tonight.
Inspector Schmittbcrger, who WAS i'll
charge of. the canvass, estimated the
total hummer Of lead including the
missing, al about 1000.
New York June 23-Thc canvass to dc
termine as nearly as possible the exact
number Of persons that lost their lives
in the Gen Slocum disaster will hc even
more thorough than at first intended. Not
only will every home in the greater city
which Is thought to have been directly al
frcted by the disaster be visited by the
special detail of patrolmen appointed by
the police commissioner but the invcsti-
cation will be extended to other cities anu
towns as well
From various points along Long lslanc
sound and from cities and towns in TINS
state and Pennsylvania have come re-
ports that persons believed to have gone
on the Inflated excursion are missing
Where il is possible these places will be
visited by the New York Investigators,
but in many cases the local police will b."
or already have been requested to assist
in the work. 1t is estimated that week
or more will be required to complete the
canvass ana compile the final list Of dead,
missing and saved.
"Wednesday nights searching for bodies
Of victims was less fruitful than any
night since the burning Of the steamer.
III The, vigil. az: the sfarchers was unrelaXcd.
but only one body WAS taken from the
river during the night.
New York. June 23.-Much Of the tcsti-
IRONY Offered at tn" session of the in
quest had to do with the condition of the
life prcscrvers. Almost without cxccp-
ton the stories OF the witnesses were
to the effect that they were of little value
Numerous witnesses testified that guam
titles Of the granulatcd cork was seen
floating on tn" surface of the water III
the vicinity of the burning steamer whit
the work of rescue WIS going on.
TIL, inquest was adjourned until Mon
day.
The bodies of II unidentified victims
were buried. today. in the Lutheran Gem
"tcry. Long Island. The bodies of ~ lden'
tilted victims were also inferred.