The Irish standard., 1904-06-18

aiming lNe uedu. MT. Haas tOlQ CnlS
story of the disaster:
THE fire started in the kitchen
in the forward part when we were
off One Hundred and Thirty-fourth
street. | understand that some fat
that boiled over started the blaze. At
that time most of the women and chill
dren were damned in the rear end of
the boat, where the band was playing.
Why the captain did not point the
boat for the Meadows l do not un-
derstand. He kept on and the fresh
wind from the sound drove the fire
back through the decks. In three
minutes from the time the fire start
ed all the decks were ablaze. Such
scenes as followed l do not think
were ever witnessed before. was
IN the rear of the boat with my wife
and daughter. Women were Shrek
ing and clasping their children in
their arms Some mothers had as
many as three or four with them.
When the fire shot up to the top deck
and drove the crowd back the panic
was terrible to witness. The women
and children chung to the ratings
and stanchions, but could not keep
their holds. l with my wife and
daughter were swept along with the
rest. | believe that the first that fell
into the water were crushed over.
board. When they went there seemed
to be general inclination to jump.
The women and children went over
the ratings like flies. In the great
crush many women tainted and fell
to the deck to be trampled upon.
Little children were knocked down.
l got my wife and daughter out on
the rail and then we went overheard
l was in such an excited state that I
don't remember whether we were
pushed over or jumped. When I
struck the water sank, and when
rose there were scores about me fight.
ing to keep afloat. One by one saw
them sink around me. But was
powerless to do anything. With
great effort managed to keep af1oat,
but my strength was about gone when
man on one of the tugs picked
me up"
Statement Of Captain.
Capt. William H. Van Setback. cap.
tain of the Slocum, said:
'The Slocum left the foot of East
Twenty-third street at half-past nine
o'clock this morning. There had
been collected from those on board
9S2 tickets. The boat passed slowly
up the river, through He'll Gate, and
over toward Sunken Meadows, where
the Cawana was burned in '78 When
rlose to the Meadows an alarm of fire
was given. At that time I was in the
pilot house. jumped down to the
deck and gave immediate orders for
fighting the fire. The fire drill was
sounded, and the crew Of the boat,
numbering % men, worked like nail
ers to get water on to that part of the
boat that was burning. The fire was
under the forward boilers on the port
side, as l made it out in the excite
ment. My men were exerting their
efforts toward keeping the passengers
from jumping. The fire was gaining
every instant, and the cries of people
burning to death could be heard above
every other discord and sound. I
got the boat underway for North
Brother island. which was the safest
place to attempt to land. The boat
was driven on under full speed, and
pulled up sideways to the shore of
the island. Many had jumped prior
to this. Many were jumping every
istant. My pilots, Edward Van Wart
and Edward M. Weaver. were doing
everything to get safely toward shore,
and Engineer B. F. Conklin stuck in
the mold. Mate Edward Flanagan
had charge of the fire brigade, but
when the fire spread over all we had
to get off the boat. Ny hat was burn
ing when I jumped, and l was pulled
out of the water and hauled up on
shore under tree before I remem-
bered what had happened"
Help Hurried to Scene.
When police headquarters received
the first vague report of the disaster
every source of succor and aid was
utilized. The hospitals were mott.
fled by telephone and each sent all
available surgeons, nurses and am
balances to the scene. The police re.
serves Of nalf dozen stations were
hurried out. and more than so pat@l
wagons were sent LOT ambulance pur.
poses. North Brother Island, where
the siocum was beached, is occupied
by municipal charity hospitals and
a considerable number Of physicians
and nurses were Immediately avail.
able.
At the Office of the United States
steamboat inspection bureau it was
said the General Slocum was inspect.
ed on May S, and was reported to be
in thoroughly good condition and
ready for the excursion season.
Aboard the steamer was all the life.
saving apparatus required by law of
steamers of her capacity.
Kentucky Building Dedicated.
St. Louis, June 16.-Kentucky dedi-
Gated her state hui1dinp Wadpocdo " ,,,;+h