The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-06-15

NEW YORK, June 15.-At noon the
best estimate placed the number Of
lives lost at between zoo and 500.
About 80 bodies had been recovered
up to that time and the police tug
boats and the steamers small boats
were out In the sound looking for
others. Dozens OF ambulances, scores
Of physicians and nurses and all the
police reserves of the city were on
the scene to rescue the bodies of the
dead and care for the living and in
tured.
The annual Sunday school excur-
sion party was made up largely of
women and children, who commenced
boarding the steamer at the foot OF
East Third street at o'clock this
morning. With the triple decks well
nlleSt Captain Van Schaick. veteran
navigator, gave the signal and the
boat pulled out from the pier, bound
for Locust Grove. on Long Island
sound.
Headed up East river all went we'll
until the boat passed through He'll
Gate and was nearing Brothers Island.
Then the Joy and merriment was
quickly turned to panic by the cry of
"Fire." Flames had been discovered
among the life preservers. but how
and when they started no one has yet
been found who can say
The burning life preservers were
torn from their resting places and
thrown overheard In an endeavor to
smother the flames. This added great
ticed afterwards that the bodies re-
covered from the water had no life
saving apparatus on.
Captain Van Schalck, when the
dreadful cry arose, called for full
speed and headed for the rock bound
shores north OF Brothers Island.
Meantime the scenes aboard We're
frightful. The flames spread with
terrible rapidity and men. women and
children were running about. wild
with fear and shrieking and In tears
seeking haven of safety. Mothers
gathered their children In their arms
and leaped into the water. Others
seemed too dazed to move and the
flames licked up about them and
burned them to death. The great bulk
stood by the boat until she neared
the shores of the island. where the
water was shoaler, thinking here
they might find chance for life.
Eye witnesses say that as the boat
neared the shore she was surrounded
On all sidas hv 400 tIry % hn.,to. 80 $780,.
engers who had jumped overheard.
On the north of Brothers Island is
locSted hospital for contagious dis
epSes and other city institutions
Employees and other people of the
island did what they could with the
small boats, graphing hooks and
rafts pulling ashore scores of people,
many blackened and burned by the
fire
The city was telephoned for aid.
but II was more than an hour before
II arrived. The steamer Massasoit
and few tugboats In the vicinity
saved a number of lives of those who
jumped overheard. Later the Massa-
soft was pressed into service by the
police and took from the island a
number OF the dead and injured,
Others who were saved were hurried
TO the New York side OF the river,
On her first trip the steamer carried
E30 dead and 75 rescued. on the shore
Ewere squads of police and ambulances
and surgeons, who administered to
the needs of the Injured.
1
Infant bodies.
Describing IN vivid manner the
crrible catastrophe, Captain Van
lSchaick said the boat was off One
ftundred and Thirty-fifth street Just
tt point known as Sunken Meadows,
Foo feet from shore. when he heard
fhe cry of Fire"
Without further warning he rang
he bells for getting out the fire ap-
aratus and. leaving the wheel in
harge OF Pilot Vanwort, started for
ne cabin to see what was the matter
BY the time he reached the stairs
ne passageway was jammed with
eople. mostly women. many OF them
ith babies In their arms. lie tried
b oalm them. but the flames were all
ocut and he was compelled to rush
pr n water pail as his hat and cloth
ing were afre.
When he saw the blaze was getting
beyond control he shouted to the pilot
10 bench the boat, which was done
Before the vessel reached the shore
tho panic-stricken people we're tramp
0ng ono another and such as could