Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-17
BURNING OF A STEAMER.
steamer Glen Island Burned on Long
Island Sound-Nine PERSONS
Perish

lSlAn0 9Ounu--HtnC ttsOh9
Perish.
Stamford, Conn.,, Dec. 17.-Long
Island Sound early this morning wit
messed another water holocaust, which
while not equal in the matter OF loss of
life to the General SIocum disaster, yet
had many of the narrowing attendant
circumstances of the horror which last
summer stirred the country. TheSt
line steamer Glen Island was burned to
the waters edge off Greenwich, Conn,
aud two passengers aud seven members
OF the crew persisted miserably in the
flames.
The Glen Island, which during the
summer carried daily excursions to
Starin's resort, Glen Island had left
pier IL, North river, at nine O'Clock
last night, bound for New Haven The
steamer carried heavy complement OF
freight and ten passengers with crew
of tSenty-nine.
All went we'll until the vessel was off
Captains Island. about three miles Off
shore and near Greenwich. AS the
steamer was passing this point the
dread cry of "fire" was heard from the
engine room.
In a moment all was indescribabe
panic. The passengers and crew CROPPED
their way in the darkness and more in
tense black volume of smoke which
poured down the stairways into the
cabins and stokel's hole. Almost on
the moment, when the FIRE was discov-
cred The lights were snuffed out and the
darkness became more intense.
Captain McAllister took hold OF
matters as fast as he could, but the work
Of lowering ihe boats and fighting the
advancing flames, was hampered by the
darkness and the rushing about Of the
panic stricken passengers. Life belts
were handed out to those on board and
many we're thus saved. Two boats were
finally lowered with eight of the pas
seugers and fourteen of the crew on
board. Hardly bad the small boats
touched the water, however, when with
a roar, like the explosion Of an oil tank,
the flames swept along the entire deck,
aud enveloped those left behind All
those left persisted in the flames, or
were drowned.
The glare of the fire brought assist.
ants from several direction. The tug
Bulley dropped its tow and rushed for
the burning steamer with all speed.
Those in the life boats were picked up
and carried to warm quarters. The
night was bitterly cold anu many
of the occupants OF the boat will doubt
less suffer from exposure.
Several persons were seen To jump
over the side of the Glen Island, bnt
whether they were among those picked
up, or have found grave in the chill
water OF the soand remains to be learn
ed. 1t may be that later developments
will show that even greater number
than nine have persisted
A peculiar fact connected with the
disaster is that the Glen Island was
built from the hulk Of the steamer City
of Richmond, the upper works of which
were also destroyed by fire.
The fire developed one hero of the
finest calbre. When the cres were get
ting the life boats away, Newman Miller,
a fireman, said he had seen a woman on
the lower deck praying. Unless she was
moved, he said, she would be lost He
started to go to her, and the captain
tried to stop him, knowing that nothing
but death awaited him. His efforts
were unsvailiug, and he threw his life
away trying to save another.
The captain said the fire was proba-
bly, caused by the crossing ofwires. The
rapid spread of the flames, he added,
was probsbly-due to a quantity OF hay
which was aboard.
Only one attempt to secure safety at
the expense of Others was made. While
the women were getting into boats a
man, whose name is not known, rushed !
towards the side, showing the women
aside. Captain McAllisler caught him,
however, ard thrusting him back in no /
gentle manner, informed him mat the /
women must be provided for first.
The survivors were landed In New
York today.
The loss on the burned boat and car
90 is estimated at 5000, 900.