The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-06-24
Six Hundred Die
In Fire and Wreck.
TIE STORY IN DETAIL.
Scenes of tho Unspeakable Agent on
the Doomed Ship.

scenes Oh tho Unspeakab1e Agent on
the Doomed Ship.
The three-decked excursion steamer
General Slocum, Of the Knickerbocker
Steamboat company, burned to the
waters edge Wednesday off North
Brother island, East river, at the en-
trance to Long Island sound, resulting
in the death through burning or
drowning of at least 600 persons, most
ly women and children. Four hundred
and fOrty-Seven bodies had been recov-
cred Wednesday night and divers were
at work taking bodies from the hold
OF the steamer. The remains of many
persons who leaped into the river have
not yet been found, and It will be
many hours before the list Of dead is
anywhere near complete.
The Gen. Slocum, one of the largest
excursion steamers in these waters,
left Third street, East river, at 80
o'clock Wednesday morning, having on
board the annual Sunday school ex-
cursion of ST. Marks German Luther
church, located in Sixth street. Her
destination was Locust Grove, one of
the many resorts on Long Island
sound. The excursion was in charge Of
Rev. George G. f. Haas, pastor Of the
church. The vessel was commanded by
Capt. VIM. Van Schaik, one Of the
best known excursion boat captains in
New York harbor. He has commanded
the Gen. Slocum for almost the entire
time since she was built in 1891. The
number Of eXcurSionStS on board
Wednesday Is variously estimated at
from 1900 to $500, but according to
Gil Official statement issued by the
knickerbOcker Steamboat company,
owners of the Slocum, the number Of
passengers was S73, that being one
third Of the vessels licensed capacity.
CROWDED WITH MERRYMAKERS.
The steamer, after leaving her dock
Wednesday morning proceeded up the
East river, all three Of her decks being
crowded with merrymakers. Bands
played an6 the great sidewheeler was
decorated with flags from stem to
stern.
The Slocum had reached point
near the sunken meadows OF l35th
street, Manhattan, which is at the ex-
| treme eastern end of LanSdalls island,
when fire broke out in lunch room on
the forward deck. The blaze was
caused by the overturnjng of a pat of
grease. The headway OF the vessel and
La-ehigt q TTssa al most Instantly fsisi ned
ItheS ftlQa
forts s~srei at sd % III ted tS
the fire bhey SHigfs futile. Il biazs
spread afterw with almost ligh ghtning rap
idity. Capt. Van Schaik, In the pilot
house, had been informed of the out
break of the fire, and realizing the dan
ger to the hundreds Of excursionists,
decided to send his vessel to shore at
l34th street. At this point there are
lumber yards and several huge oil
tanks and the captain was warned that
to attempt to land at this point would
endanger the property and perhaps
further imperil the scores of people
who had already been frightened into
a state of almost uncomfortable excite
ment.
CHANGED COURSE.
Changing the big steamers course
slightly he headed for north. Brother
island, half mile away. BY this time
the flames were rushing by leaps and
bounds from the forward part of the
ship aft
The great open decks, built for the
excursionists, with little obstruction
from bow to stern, offered clear
sweep for the fire. AS he Slocum
dashed forward the flames caught
stanchion and cabin woodwork eating
and tearing their way across the yes
sci.
The excursionits, but a few mo-
ments before in the full enjoyment OF
an ideal summers day on Long Island
sound, were driven to the after part
"f the steamer to escape the heat,
flames and smoke that we're constantly
increasing Policemen and deckhands
aboard the boat struggled hard to
quiet the panic, but the efforts were
in vain. The wild disorder increased as
frantic mothers sought to find their
children, who had been at play about
the decks.
The steamers whistle was blowing
for assistance and tugs and other near
by craft answered the call. Before any
OF the boats could reach the burning
steamer, however, the frantic women
and children began to jump overheard.
The current was strong and there are
many whirlpools in the channel. The
boats that always bound in the vicini.
ty picked many persons from the
water, but these wp-S only small
number OF those that seen strug-
CLING in the current.
On the Slocum the tifst swe, D of
the flames cut off escape from the
hurricane deck, where great many
of the women and children we're
crowded together, and soon burned
away the light wood OF the uprights
which came down with crash on
those below. 1t is thought that most
OF those on the hurricane deck we're
burned.
CROWDED TIE RAIL.
AS the fire increased the struggle to
gain a point of vantage at the stern
became frightful. Women and child
rem crowded against the after rail
until it gave way and hundreds were
pushed off into the river. After this
there was a steady stream OF persons
who jumped or we're thorwn into the
>~->NN~N>~>~~---~--~-~N -~-~NNo~N~~-~-~~-~~~-o~
lcontinued on page
/