The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1904-06-17

1ttAMINaE Inspection NAArtA II -
said -ae General Siocum was inspected
On Ma sand was reported 10 be in a
thoroughly good eOndiJiOl and ready
for he excursion season Aboard the
steamer was all the lite-s1ying appara-
tus required by law Of steamers OF her
capacity
The SIOcumI- Commander.
The General Sloeum's licensed cap
tain is Capt W. II. VanSchick. one
Of the Oldest excursionist captains in
New York harbor waters.
The Slocum sailed from the foot of
Third street, East river. shortly after
nine o'clock. The exact point she had
reached when the flames were discov-
cred in the forward part of the boat
was of the "SYnken Meadows" at the
extreme east end of RandalFs island
So quick was the spread of the flames
that the captain of the Slocum could
NO. turn, and was forced TO make
head-on 1o- North Brothers island I'M
der full steam. BY the time the Slo-
cum reached One Hundred and Thirty
fifth street the eAcursionists, driven
to the rail, many of them, with their
clothing on fire. began to jump over
board by twos and threes.
Went Overheard by the Score.
When One Hundred and Thirty
Report OF a Captain Who Passed the
Gulf of Pe-Chi-Li.
Chefoo. June 16-The captain of a
oh . ha
of Pc Chi Ii last Monday night, re-
ports seeing the searchlights of large
fleet, also flashes from their guns, %
miles southwest of Port Arthur. This
observation was made, the captain
states, between 1920 o'clock Monday
night and three o'clock Tuesday morn
ing. He was unable to discern the
lights of any opposing vessels. Chi
nese cruisers and land forces are
watching closely to prevent the ex-
portation of contraband goods for
either of the belligerents. Complaints
have been made that the Japanese are
drawing a supply of fresh provisions
from here.
Many persons were thrown into the
water, but hundreds were precipitated
into the lower deck, which was itself
mass OF women and children.
An Unknown Hero.
A tug Of the New York Central rail-
road saved nearly score through the
heroism of some unknow man. This
LIAM stood on the paddle wheel box OF
t. Slncum and passed women am
children to the tug until he was driven
back by the flames. He then jumped
into the tug himself. Neither police
nor fremen, when they arrived, wait
ed to remove coats or clothes, but |
jumped overheard and saved a great |
many who would otherwise have |
drowned.
Many of the bodies recovered were |
horribly burned. Wreckers say that it |
will be hours before the fire in the
hold of the boat is out and the bodies
here can be recovered. Both hremen
and wreckers say the greatest loss OF
life, extending into the hundreds, will
be found in the hold.
Every Source of Aid Utilized.
When police headquarters received
the first vague report of the disaster,
every source of succor and aid was
Utilized The hospitals were notified
~ telephone, and each sent all avail
lble surgeons, nurses and ambulances
o the scene.
The police reserves of a half dozen
station were hurried to the scene, and
more than so patrol wagons were sent
or ambulance purposes.
North Brothers island where the
3locum was beached, is occupied by
municipal charity hospitals, and a con-
iderable number of physicians and
nurses were Immediately available.
Many Rescued VIII Die.
Many of those picked up alive in the
liver will die in the hospitals. Most of
hem were frightfully burned, having
elayed leaping from the boat until
heir clothing was on fire
Some died in the improyised ambu.
ances in which they were hurried from
he shore
Every man on board who could swim
-ent overheard loaded down with chill
rem. Many of these heroes lost their L
yes, because, burdened as they were,
hey could make no hesGway against
he overpoWering swirl of the tide as 1t /.
lshes from the East river into the
ound.
A Survivors, story.
John Edell, % years old, one of the
rvivors of the disaster, gave the fol-
wing account of his terrible expert n
ace, his mother and little brother be-
lg drowned before his eyes:
when we left the pier the decks h
ere packed to the limit of their ca
acity The band was playing, the