The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-17
The Big Steamer, General Slo-
cum, Burned TO Waters Edge
RIVER FILLED WITH THE DEAD

many resorts on Long Island sound.
1t is variously estimated that there
were between $500 and $500 per-
sons on board the General Slocum
when she left the pier at Third, East
river. though the Knickerbocker
Steamship Company, which owns the
Slocum. officially states that the num-
Der of persons was S73, this being
only one-thir1 of the vessels capac-
ity. 1t is thought, however, that there
were several hundred children in arms
for whom fares are not usually chars-
ed on these trips, on board.
Breaking Out Of the Fire.
The scene on the decks of the
steamer as she proceeded up the East
river was one of merry-making, Gus
tomary on such occasions. The mass
of flags fiuttered in the June breezc,
the bands were playing and the chill
dren were singing. dancing and wav-
ing hankerchiefs and flags In answer
to the salutationS Of those on shore
or from passing steamers. At the ex-
treme east end of Randall'S Island, off
135th street, there Is stretch OF
water known as the Sunken Mead
ows. At this point, just as crowds
were watching the gaily decorated
steamer from the shore, the General
the vessel-she was built in 1891
had resulted in the we'll seasoning of
the wood, with which she was almost
entirely built, she was soon mass or
flames. The fire is said to have
broken out in a lunch room on the
forward deck through the overturnihg
of pot of grease. The wind was
high, and all efforts to subdue the fire
were futile.
At 134th street there are several
lumber yards and oil tanks, and as
Captain William Van Schafk, in COM
mand of the General Slocum, started
to turn his vessel towards the shore
. there, he was warned that it would
set fire to the lumber and oil, so he
changed his course for North Brother
Island one of the Twin Islands, near
the entrance to the sound, some half
a mile away, where the boat partially
burned. was beached. She sank near
this place at 1915 o'clock this after
noon, two hours and twenty minutes
after the fire was discovered.
Life Preservers Could Not Be Sc
cured.
In the meantime the passengers had
become panic stricken, and those
who were not caught up by the flames
rushed to the rear of the vessel. and
hundreds jumped overheard into the
that the life preservers were too Sc
curely fastened to their holdings to
be available, and stories are told OF
frantic efforts. made by strong men,
to cut them loose, but even If they
could have been torn down they were
too high up for the captain to reach.
II is also alleged that no attempt was
made to get out the fire apparatus at
the first cry of fire" though Captain
Van Schaik says that he Immediately
rang the bells for getting out the ap-
paratus. According to several state
ments. no attempt was made to lower
boats or life RATS.
Captain Van Schaik and his two
pilots, named Edward Van Wart an
E. NJ. Weaver. have been arrested.
The three decked excursion steamer
General Slocum, Of the Knickerbocker
Steamboat Company. was burned to
the waters edge off North Brother
island, East river, at the entrance to
Long Island sound today. resulting in
the death. through burning or drown
ing, Of at least six hundred persons,
mostly women and children. Four
hundred and forty-seven bodies had
been recovered tonight and divers
were at work taking bodies from the
hold of the steamer. 'Ihe remains of
many persons who leapeo into the riv-
er have not been found. and 1t will
is any where near complete.
The General Slocum. ono Of the lar
gest excursion steamers in these wa
tiers, left Third street, East river. at
$50 o'clock this morning. having on
board the annual Sunday School excur-
sion of st. Marks German Lutheran
church. located in Sixth street.
Her destination was Locust Grove one
OF the many resorts on Long Island
sound. The excursion was in charge
of Rev. George S. F. Haas. pastor of
the church. The vessel was COM
manded by Captain William van Schaik
one Of the best known excursion boat
captains in New York harbor. He has
commanded the Genera. o,ocum for al
most the entire time since she was
built in 1891. The number of excur-
estimated at from 500 to $500, but ac-
cordiEg to an official statement issued
| by the Knickerbocker Steamboat Com
+! pany. owners OF the Slocum, the num-
! Der of passengers was S73, that being
. one-third of the vessefs licensed ca
pacity.
The steamer, after leaving her dock
this morning. proceeded up East river.
all three of her decks being crowded
, with merrymakers. Bands played and
the great sfde-wheeler was decorated
, with flags from stem to stern.
; Fire Breaks Out.
The Siocum had reached a point near
the Sunken Meadows off 135th street,
Manhattan, which Is at the extreme
eastern end of Randalrs Island. when
fire broke out in a lunch room on the
forward deck. The blaze was caused
by the oyerturning OF q pot Of grease.
The headway OF the vessel and high