The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-06-22
On Burning Steamer
at New York They
PeriShed.
MANY CHILDREN VICTIMS
Although the Steamer Was MOI
Far From Shore, Fire and
Wave, in Few Minutes
Claimed Many.

~A~~@AA@~.
One Of the most appalling disasters
in the history Of New York, tragic
in it's imnensity, dramatic in its
episodes and deeply pathetic in the
tender age Of most Of the victims,
took place Wednesday in the East
river at the entrance to Long Island
sound, within short distance Of the
New York shore and within sight OF
thousands Of persons, the majority OF
whom were powerless to minimize the
extent Of the catastrophe.
By the burning to the waters edge
Of the Gen. Slocum, three-decked ex-
cursion steamer, the largest in these
waters, more than 600 persons, the
majority OF whom were women and
children, were burned to death or
drowned by jumping overheard or by
being thrown into the whirlpool by
the lurching Of the vessel and the
frantic rush OF the panic-Stricken
passengers.
It is the season of Sunday school
excursions in New York bay and Long
Island sound, the latter one OF the
most picturesque bodies Of water IN
the country. Great preparations had
been made for the 18th annual excur-
sion OF the Sunday school OF st. Marks
German Lutheran church the congre
CATION CT which is drawn from the
dense population Of the lower east and
west sides, and the Gen. Slocun nao
been chartered to carry the excursion
lists to Locust Grove, one Of the many
resorts on Long Island sound.
THE NUMBER on BOARD.
It is variously estimated that there
were between l 800 and $500 persons
On board the Gen. Slocum when she
LETT the pier at Third street, East
liver, though the Kinckerbocker
Steamship company, which owns the
Slocum, officially states that the num-
Der Of persons was S13, that being
only one third Of the vessels capacity.
1t is thought however, that there
were several hundred children in arms,
for whom fares are not usually charg-
ed on these trips, on board.
The scene on the decks Of the
steamer as she proceeded up the East
river was one Of merrymaking, custo-
mary on such occasions. The mass OF
flags Huttered in the June breeze, the
bands were playing and the children
were singing, dancing and waving
handkerchiefs and flags in answer to
the sslutations Of those on shore or
from passing steamers On the ex-
trene eastern end OF Randalls island,
Of l35th street, there is a stretch OF
water known as the sunken meadows.
At this point, just as croWos were
watching the gaily decorated steamer
from shore, the Gen. Siocun took IRE
and as the age Of the vessel-she was
built In 1Ss1-had resulted in the well
seasoning Of the wood with which she
was almost entirely built, she was
soon a mass Of fame. The fame is
said TO have broken out in a lunch
room on the forward deck by the
overturning OF a pot Of grease. The
wind was high and all efforts to ex-
tinguish the blaze were futile.
FOR NORTH BROTHER ISLAND.
At 134th street there are several
lumber yards and oil tanks and as
Capt. William Van Schaick. in COM.
msnd Of the Gen. Slocum, started to
turn his vessel towards the shore there
he vas warned that it would set fire
to the lumber and Gil and 50 be chang
ed his course for North Brother island
one OF the twin islands near the en-
trance to the sound some half mile
away, where the boat partially burned
was beached. She sank near tina,
place at 12.15 O'Clock WedneSoa!
afternoon, two hours and 25 minutes
after the FIRE was discovered.
In the meantime the passenger
had become panic stricken and those
who were not caught up by the lame
rushed to the rear Of the vessel ant
hundreds jumped overheard into tn
swiftly running waters. 1t is ALLEGED
that the life preservers were too Sc
curely fastened to their holdings to o'
available and stories are told Of fran
tic efforts made by strong men to cu'
them loose but even il they could hav'
been torn down they were too high ~
for the children to reach. It is ais
reported that no attempt was made t.
get out the FIRE apparatus at the frs
cry OF fire" though Capt. Val
Schaick says.that be Immediately ram
the bells for getting out the appa
ratus. According to several state
ments no attempt was made tc lowe
boats or life RATS. Capt. Van Scaa'c.
and his two pilots, named E war
Van Wart and E. N. Weaver, haV
been arrested.