Mexico Missouri message., 1907-02-21
AWFUL MARINE pIsAeTER OFF
THE COAST or RHODE
ISLAND.
COLLISION AT SEA
In the Darkness Of the Night Time
Two Hundred Human Beings
Face the Grim
Reaper.

Block Island, r. 1.--About $50 per.
sons went to their death In Block
Island sound Monday night, ms a re-
suit OF a collision between the three.
masted schooner Harry Knowlton and
the Joy line steamer Larchmont.
bound from Providence to New York.
II Is estimated that including the crew
there were nearly 200 persons on board
the steamer when she sailed from
Providence. OF these only 10 appear
TO have survived the disaster, ten
members Of the crew and nine pas
sengers. Forty-eight bodies have been
recovered.
A Boatload Of Agony.
The first lntimation of the disaster
was Tuesday morning, when life
boat drifted into Block Island harbor.
In the boat were several bodies of
men who had died from the effects OF
long hours of exposure 10 a death.deal.
ing temperature. In the boat also were
IL men, whose suffering was so In.
tense that they seemed oblivious to the
fact that death was in their midst, and
that they had escaped only by virtue
OF their ability to Withstand the rigor
Of zero weather In an open boat at
sea.
Estimate Of the Loss OF Life.
The boat brought a tale OF disaster
that has rarely been eQualed in New
England waters, and It is believed
that when the final count is made, II
will be found that no less than $50
lives were Lost.
Following closely In the wake OF the
solitary llfeboat came bodies, lifeboats
and RATS, cast on the beach by angry
waves.
Owing to the condition OF the sur
yiyors,. It was impossible TO get from
them an estimate Of the loss OF life.
From rs to $50 persons went to their
death, and IL is believed that the lat.
ter figures are nearer correct.
Two Hundred Were on Board.
The steamship officials estimate that
about $50 passengers end a crew OF so
we're on board the steamer when she
left Providence. Monday night. Forty.
eight bodies reached these shores
Tuesday and 10 we're alive when taken
rom the lIfeboats, Taxing the est.
mate figures Of the steamship Off.
cIals as a basis. there are still 13S
persons TO be accounted for. The only
positive evidence of the steamers vic
Tins is lying at the bottom Of Block
Island sound.
Cause Of the Accident.
The cause of the accident has not
been satisfactorily explained. II oc.
Cured just off Watch Hin. about IL
o'clock Monday night. when the three.
masted schooner Harry Knowlton.
bound from South Amboy for Boston.
with cargo OF coal. crashed into the
steamers port side amidshlps. Capt.
McVey, OF the Larchmont, declares
that the knowlton suddenly sweryed
from her course, luffed into the wind
and crashed into his vessel. Capt
Haley, OF the Knowlton, asserts that
the steamer did not give mis- vessel sut
ficient sea room.
No Fatalities on the Schooner.
The steamer, with huge hole torn
in her side, was so seriously damaged
that no attempt was made to run IoI
shore, and she sank to the bottom In
less than half an hour. The Knowlton
after abe had backed away from the
wreck. began to all rapidly, but heI
crew manned the pumps and kept her
anoat until she reached a point of
Quonochotaug. where they put out
In the lifeboat and rowed ashore
There were no fatalities ON the
schooner.
Victims Routed From Warm Beda,
A majority Of those aboard thG
LArchmont had retired for the night
and when the collision occurred thers
were few, with the exception OF tht
crew, prepared for the weather which
prevailed. They hurried from the warn
slaterooms 10 the deck and into a zers
atmosphere.
Chilled 20 the bone, many rushed
haadlong below TO secure more cloth
ing, while others. barefoot, barehead
. ed and clad only In night gowns. stoos
on the eckg, fearing that 20 so below
would mean certain death.
II now appears certain that the iosl
OF lie was heavier among those wins
had retired for the night. Despite th'
efforts which we're made to leave "a
one on beard. II would appear to bl
lmpossible that OF, the 900 souls o.
board none was left behind. Thoxl
who had no opportunity 70 eloth'
themselves soon Buccunbed.
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