Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-06

Cartagend, SPAN. Aug. "a terrible
marine disaster occurred last evening
off Cape Palos. when the Italian
steamship Sirio, from Genoa for Bar
celona, Cadiz, Montevideo and Buenos
Ayres, with about 500 persons on
board. was wrecked off HOrmiGas is
land and 800 cmgrants, most of them
Italians and Spaniards. were drowned.
The captain of the steamer commit
ted suicide.
The Bishop of San Pedro, Brazil. al
SO was lost and it is reported that an
other bishop is among the missing.
The remainder of the passengers and
the officers and crew got away in the
ships boats or were rescued by meals
of boats sent to them from the shore.
A number of fishermen who made
attempts at rescue were drowned.
Those rescued from the vessel are
now at Cape PaloS in Il pitiab condi-
ton. being without food or clothing.
The Sirio struck rocky reef known
as Bajos Hormigas and sank soon at
ter. stern first Homigas Island lies
about two and a half miles to the east
ward of Cape Palos. The Sirio was
owned by the NaviSaZionc ltailano of
Genoa.
Before he committed suicide, the cap
tain declared the steamer had 645 pas
scngerS on board and that her crew
numbered 127 men. The Siro had $40
passengers when leaving Genoa, Aug.
2. but additional Spanish passengers
were taken on board ut Barcelona
here the vessel touched at ) o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
The steamer was threading a difficult
passage through the Hormigas group.
where the BajoS IIormigaS reef is IL
continual menace to navigation. The
vessel began to settle rapidly immcd-
lately after she had struck. and ter
riblc scene of confusion and panic en-
sued on board. The fishermen along
the coast sought to render every assist
anCc in their power and sent out boats
which brought many survivors ashore.
Most of the officers and crew OF the
Sirio are among the saved.
The survivors have gone into camp
on the main square Of the town OF
Cape Palos. Here narrowing scenes
are enacted as the stricken families
anXiously seek beloved members among
the rescued. A mother who lost her
three children went insane. The doc
tor of the Sirio gave up his wife and
child as lost, but they were finally
brought in by one Of the rescuing boats.
and the scene as this family was re-
united was most effecting. One of the
boats sent out by the fishermen
brought in "a passengers.
The condition of the survivors IS
most deplorable. They have lost every
thing and are without money, food or
clothing. The maritime authorities Of
Cartagena have dispatched tug to
the scene carrying relief supplies The
buildings of circus, and the poor
house are being used as temporary
quarters for survivors.
The latest from the Cape. say that
three boats have just brought in
number of rescued. An additional sad
ness is added to the catastrophe Owing
to the fact that a number of fishermen
who we're conducting rcscuing oper-
atoms were drowned in consequence Oh
the overturning of boat.
The captain of the Sirio, before he
killed himself, attributed the wreck to
his own imprudence.
All of the ships books were lost. 1t is
impossible at present to ascertain the fun
extent Of the disaster. Nine-tenths OF
the sailors were Italians and the re-
mainder Spaniards.
All the survivors were landed at Cape
Palos. The inhabitants at once provided
them with clothing and nourishment
Thirty were landed at Hermigas Island
about one mile from the scene OF the
tragedy.
Fishermen brought in the first news OF
the laundering of the Sirio, and 1t Great
ed CONSERVATION here. Boat loads OF the
shipwrecked passengers and crew began
to reach shore shortly after the news be-
came known.
Passengers confirm the fearful nature OF
the calamity. From the broken nara
tives of the terror-stricken survivors II
would appear THAT it was the intention OF
the captain of the Sirio. after leaving
Barcelona, to call at Cadiz before pro-
ceeding to Brazil. The captain. in order
to shorten the route and gain time, pur-