The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-28
DISASTER ON CAYUGA LAKE
EXCURSION BOAT TAKES FIRE
AND MANY LIVES LOST.


n quickly swept Across the boat.
ITHACA. N. Y. July 27.-seveu persons
are known to be dead and many more in
jured 40 the result Of the burning Of the
steamboat Frontenac Of the Cayuga Lake
Transportation Company. on the north
end Of Cayuga Lake. this afternoon. Those
known to be dead at this hour are Mrs.
Homer Genune and her son. Carl. Of Free
vile. N. Y. and Miss Julia McCreary OF
Cohoes. a student Of the Cornell summer
school; the eight-year-old son Of Howard
Abel Of the town OF Ulysses. Estella Clinton
INT several Cornell girls are among the
missing. n it is almost certain that they
persisted in the flames OF were drowned.
The boat was completely destroyed. burn
ing TO the waters edge, and now lies a CON-
pIete wreck near the shore at Union Springs.
The Frontenac left Cayuga this morning
on it's daily trip to Sheldrake and return
At that place a large number Of excur-
~sionists from the town OF Ulysses and young
women students from the Prang School
Of Art at Glenwood went on board. making
the total number OF passengers about ono
hundred.
On the return trip thes steamer was travel
ling along between Lavanna and Farley's
Point. when one OF the passengers noticed
smoke coming from the neighborhood
Of the smokestack. That is the most
authentic account Of the origin Of the fire.
although some OF the excited passengers
declare hat one Of the boilers exploded.
A strong south wind was blowing at the
time and il swept across the boat, driving
the flames before II in great fury. Soon
the entire stern was a mass of flames.
The frightened passengers rushed to
the bow Of the boat. Capt. Brown and
the members OF the crew tried 10 calm
them and get them into the lifeboats.
Many Of them refused to enter the frail
craft on account Of high waves which
the wind had kicked up, and the crew
was compelled to use force to get them
there. Many were saved that way.
Realizing that the boat could not he
saved, Pilot Al Smith turned toward the
shore. Capt. Brown. manage OF the
company, rushed among the passengers
and urged them TO put on life preservers
and be ready TO jump. Some Of them
were too frightened to move and the cap
tain himself fastened the small bands of
cork about their bodies.
When the boat neared shore the flames
had spread to all parts Of the vessel and
there was nothing for the passengers to
do but jump. Most Of those who are Head
lost their lives in the water, although
two children are known to have been
burned. Motor boats and crafts Of all
kinds fastened to the scene and sided in
the work Of rescue, but seven Of the pas
sengers lost their lives.
A relief train was sent out by the Lehigh
Valley from Auburn loaded down with
hospital supplies. nurses and doctors. As
soon az IL arrived the work Of rescue began
in earnest. All Of the injured were carried
to summer resorts near by and later brought
to Ithaca. From that time on the work
kept up and late tonight he searchers
are still at their tasks. Several bodies rave
been recovered. .
The Frontenac was an old double deck
sidewheel steamboat Of the excursion type
It is said that she formerly piled on the
st Lawrence River among the Thousand
Islands. Several years ago she was con-
demned by the steamboat inspectors. but
repairs were mad on her and she was
allowed 20 continue her trips. During the
summer she made trip each day to Cayuga,
at the foot OF the lake. and back to Ithaca,
stopping at the summer resorts on the way
70 let IN and take on passengers She had
been considered unsafe by the residents
Of Ithaca for severa, years in spite Of the
fact that she had been repaired.
Besides her regular trip she was used M
an excursion boat during the summer TO
take out parties to see the races which
occur on Cayuga Lake on Decoration Day