The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-06-22


New York, (SpeciaD. FLAMES that
suddenly swept over the excursion
steamer General Slocum in the East
river, near its junction with Long Is
land Sound, at 10 A. NJ. Wednes siay,
drove hundreds of the passengers to
leap overheard, while hundreds more
who remained aboard were burned
70 death.
1t seems certain that at least 600
persons, mostly women and children,
met death. The number of deaths
is likely to reach as many as 500.
-Four hundred and ninety-eight bodies
had been recovered at a late hour
and divers were at work taking more
from the hold OF the steamer. The
remains OF many persons who leaped
into the river have not yet been found.
The fatalities all occurred in a brief
race with death over a half-mile
course which Capt William II. Van
Schaik, OF the boat, made in trying to
beach her on North Brother Island
He succeeded in this attempt. but
the FIRE meanwhile had spread so
rapidly that one OF the vessels decks
had collapsed, killing many, while the
flames had destroyed others or driven
them to death in the water.
Boats officers Arrested.
The captain has been severely
criticised for not running the boat
ashore when the flames were dis
covered. With FIVE OF his men he was
arrested.
Some of the survivors declare that
the life-preservers were rotten and
proved utterly uselss when the pas
sengers tried TO use them.
About 200 persons. members Of
an excursion party given bv St Marks
Evangelical Lutheran Church. 232
Sixth street. on East Side OF Man
haitian, were on board the General
Slocum. The greater number OF
passengers were women and children.
All were on their way TO Locust
Grove. a summer resort on Long Is
land Sound
The dangerous He'll Gate rocks had
been passed in safety and the steam
boat was of the east end of Ran
dalHs Island when there was 4 sud-
den FIRE in the forward part the YES
sci. The overturning OF a pot OF
grease in the boats kitchen had caused
H. What seemed an explosion fol-
lowed
a cloud of smoke and flames shot
into the air.
Death In Frightful Panic.
Instantly the women became panic
stricken. The crew of 23 men were
powerless in the frenzied throng that
rushed toward the stern, pursued by
the flames. The pressure against the
rails was so great that they soon gave
way. Forty or fifty persons were al
most Immediately swept overheard.
Captain Van Schaik then headed
The boat for North Brother Island
and the harbor craft began picking
up the trail OF victims and survivors
who continued dropping in her wake
by fives and tens, some supported by
life prescrvers, but most OF them with
out such aid.
Hundreds fleeing from the flames
He'd to the upper hurricane deck,
which, under the unusual strain, to-
gether with the burning OF its sup
porting stanchions. collapsed. One
hundred or more were thus precipi-
tated to the middle deck and many
OF them were thrown bodily into the
blazing hold
Few Could Be Saved.
The steamers whistle was blowing
for assistance. and tugs and other
nearby craft answered the call. Be
fore any Of the boats could reach the
burning steamer, however. the frantic
women and children had begun to
jump overheard The current was
strong and there are many whrlpools
in the channel. The boats that always
abound in the vicinity picked many
persons from the water, but these
were only small number Of those
struggling in the swift current
AS the fire increased the struggle to
gain points of vantage at the stern
became irightfu Women and chill
dren crowded against the after rail
until il gave way and hundreds were
pushed off into the river. After this
there was a steady stream OF persons
who jumped or were thrown into the
water.
By this time the shrieking whistle
of the Slocum had attracted the at
tention of river craft for a con-
siderable distance around, and tugs
and other small boats were rushing to
the assistance OF the burning steamer
Rows OF Heads In Water.
These small boats rescued all those
in the water whom they could reach.
but many persons struggled and
sank before any help could reach
them In the wake Of the Slocum as
She hurried upstream was a line OF
little black spots. marking the heads
and bodies OF those who had sought
10 escape the roaring furnace in the
ship by throwing themselves over
board
Few Of those saved by the small
boats had ON life-preservers. At no
time during the progress Of the fire
was there any good opportunity either
20 lower the liicboats or get the life
preservers out from underneath the
seats. This gives an idea OF the
rapidly. with which the flames swept
the decks.
II was an experience narrowing and
terrible, and that any escaped alive
seems wonderful.
Through all :he panic during that
FINANCIAL.
T., M.,, NnrL Tho ,,c.l. c, 20 -