The San Francisco call., 1904-06-17
7 aIes of Bru-
taIity and
{ Crime.
Robbers Busy
Aboard the
SIOCum.

NEW YORK. June I6.-When the
dread tale Of the General Slocum is
fully told-when the last blackened
body has been taken from the burned
hulk and the swift waters Of Hell Gate
give UP their dead-the catastrophe
VIII take its place as the most appall-
ing that has ever occurred in the in
land waters Of America
All during the night and through
the early dawn OF to-day the sad
work OF exploring the SlOcum's hull
went on and from dock TO morgue the
procession of ambulances, each with
Its piriful load. wound its way from
the river front 10 the morgUe at the
foot Of TWenty-sixth street, until at
noon. 5O4 bodies lay on the slabs
Most OF these came from the wreck.
but the night long patrol Of the waters
OF East River added its ghastly quota
There are many bodies still in the
hold OF the burned vessel according
10 the divers and Wreckers-
How many preferred drowning TO
the agony OF death by FIRE and went
over the rail never 10 rise again dur
ing the mad race Of the vessel for the
beach may never be known, for the
Ireacher0us waters Of Hell Gate do
MOURNING IN MANY HOMES.
Unlike the IroQuois Theater and
other great csLastrOphes of recent
years. where the woe of the disaster
reached throughout the land, the blow
OF theSlocUm's mortality falls practic-
ally upon one little neighborhoOd of a
great city.
St Marks parish. whence came
nearly every victim, lies within ten
crowded blocks OF the middle East
side and there was to-day hardly a
house that was not one of mourning.
The membership Of the little Lutheran
church is German or Of German de-
scent and Of the comparatively well
10 do class.
The race Of the burning steamboat
from the moment the fire was dis
covered until her bows crashed on the
shelving beach Of North Brother Isl
and lasted little more than ten min
Ures. YET that time suficed for deeds
OF heroism which make the one bright
chapter In the heart rending story.
Brave men. devoted mothers and even
nlaidens and youths OF tender years
each contributed their part 10 the roll
Of heroic acts
There were rescUes in the face Of al
most certain death and useless. but
exalted self-sacrifce. The credit for
lLe EfedLceL SAVING OF ne IS Que 10
The hardy tugb0at men and other fol-
lowers Of the river who braved the
flames and held the noses OF their craft
Ealnsr Cle fire. yarped steam boat IN
~ driven on by the awful heat. scOrch-
I'd and choking Bodies Of women with
their burned arms clasping close the
piuful forms Of little children and
babies were found
BRUTAL AND COWARDLY ACTS.
But there Is z darker side hinted at
along the river front, where are told
stories that seem 10 be the inevitable
accCmpaniment Of all great calami-
ties. There has been no evidence Of a
character specific enough 10 fasten IL
upon individuals and permit Of pun
ishment but survivors and eyewitness
- say that some brutal acts Of selfish
ness and c0wardice on the part Of the
Slocum' S crew were seen and that dis
tTess signals from the burning boat
were disregarded by passing craft. One
man AYERS that q big white Yacht
passed the Slocum when the bodies Of
women and children were going over
board and did not even slacken speed.
According 70 this man. the yacht few
the pennanr OF the New York YScht
Club. but not the owners pen1ant.
q hich always signifies that he is
aboard, and after passing the Siocum
she steered over 70 the western shore
and hOTe-to. while on her bridge a
man in uniform. with binoculars TO his
eyes. watched the vessel burn.
Even more horrible than this and
imilar acts Of incredible caIlOusness is /