The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-15
Story Oh EYE WITNESS.

Capt. William Churchill. commander
of the auxillary sloop Easy Times. wit
messed practically the whole affair He
gives the following account of it.
When ] saw the Slocum first she was
of the Harlem River bridge and flames
were pouring out OF her port paddlebox
As the ship moved along the smoke
and flames under the strength Of
west wind were blown all over the
decks
The scene was something terrible.
Women and children rushed frantically
back and forward. screaming and cry
ing. Scores Of them. in their fright.
jumped overheard
Il cannot understand why the General
Siocum was not locked or beached be-
fore she reached North Brothers Island
There We're no small boats near her
as she steamed along. Those who jump
ed overheard We're drowned.
Saved Many Lives.
I'VE got alongside as soon as we could
and saved many. The blazing steamer
rounded the island and. turning to port.
grounded ON the northwest point OF the
island.
by this time the lower decks were
crowded with women and children
screaming IN terror. As the heat became
moro intense those nearest the rail
dropped shrieking into the water
Some who were able to keep afoat
for a few minutes seized the blades OF
the Dig paddle wheel and hung there
Others grabbed at the supports which
Joined the hull and overhanging deck
The flames by this time were sweep
ing through the deck and many were
burned before reaching the water.
Rescued From Padded Car.
II took my boat alongside the paddle
box and took or as many as 1 could
Wl-en the heat became too intense was
forced to 20 away"
Captain Churchill said that as the
blazing steamer neared the island. whist
ling FOR help. a ferryboat was crossing
the river Her captain let the burning
craft pass her bows and then proceed-
ed on his way without Offering 10 give
the slightest assistance. Captain Church
i'll thinks the ferryboat might have saw
cd scores OF lives mad her captain tried.
The slocum burned practically TO the
waters edge.
Fire boats i'm the meantime had reach
ed the scene. This a --ernOon they are
flooding her with water so that the hull
can be searched for bodies.
Thousands Watch Disaster.
The sound shore from Oak Point down
TO 13Sth Street was lined with people
watching the efforts Of police and others
in rescuing bodies.
Bodies are being recovered all along
the New York shore. along North Broth
ers Island. and along the shores Of
Rikers island. The dead are being taken
10 the Alexander Avenue Police Station
and 70 the Lebanon Hospital, in the
Bronx.
Up 10 / o'clock from fifty to seventy
FIVE bodies have been landed on the
New York shore.
Fifty female nurses have been hurried
TO the foot OF 13Sth Street. and will be
taken TO North Brothers Island to help
care for the injured.
The General SlOcum was built by Di
vine Burtis. in South Brooklyn in 1891.
She was completely Oyerhauled this
spring and was fully protected with fire
eNtinguishers. etc. She was rated Al
by the insurance companies.
The SlOcum was 225 feet In length and
beam 81 feet inches. Her capacity
plement Of officers and her deck hands
numbered IS
She was one Of the largest excursion
boats I'm this harbor. and during the
summer months piled between New
York and ROckaway Beach. Prior TO
the opening OF the season at Rockaway
her owners chartered her for excursion
purposes.