New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-13

that he could not give any rational account OF
the number of persons on board. When dues-
tions were asked him he became hysterical. ana
It was thought best for his safety to bother
him us little as possible. SO soon as Young was
placed aboard tho Kentucky Captain Gray leaned
close to him and asked the number of passen-
gers on board the Larchmout. Young muttered
something that sounded like 105. but l3psed into
a semi-stupor before he could repeat II.
Again when his mind cleared he positively
stated that there were seventy five passengers
on board the Larchmont Adding the thirty
members Of the crew to this gives 1o5, the num-
Der first given by the purser
Captain McVay. It is thought may not recover
He is barely able to talk and in a few words
scarcely audible he told the position of the
Larchmout when she was struck by the schooner
Harry KuowltoG. He said she was cut almost
in two. and sank about three miles west of
Watch Hill in one hundred feet Of water The
schooner was running before a northwest gale
blowing at the rate of fifty miles an hour. He
thought the Knowlton was running at q speed OF
fully fifteen knots hour.
Captain Gray of the Kentucky said that i'm
mediately on landing he hired all available hacks
and sleighs and took the survivors from the
lighthouse. the lifesaving station and the various
farmhouses whittier they had been taken. He
been done for the sufferers. and that they were
receiving medical aid in comfortable quarters on
the Kentucky. He said the Kentucky would
leave for Providence this morning with the dead
and injured. If a coroner could be found and per-
mission obtained TO remove the bodies.
Captain Gray said the Larchmont sank within
ten minutes after she struck, and that he
believes a number OF passengers were drowned
before they could get out OF their berths. The
lights went out simultaneously with the craslE
as the Knowlton ploughed into the side, tearing
a great hole. through which the water rolled
in, putting out the fires. 1t is thought that
many Of the passengers unaccounted for were
sleeping near the point OF contact. and were I'M
able, in the darkness 10 find their way TO the
upper part of the sinking steamer. Captain Gray
reported that thus far none OF the flremen. oil
ers or engineers have been accounted Tor lie
thinks perhaps they We're carried down with the
steamer or wedged against hot steam pipes and
boilers and burned TO death.
Captain Gray's description OF the scene at
Block Island quoted by Mr. Noble. Il
think the sight along the beach was the most
grewsome have ever SEEM Captain Gray said
LAS we approached in the small boats. when
several hundred feet away I noticed great blocks
OF ice scattered along the beach. I noticed that
they were nearly all In one locality, and thought
they were Ice foes that had drifted shoreward
When we got ashore 1 Mortified 20 that
they were human bodies. l could hardly believe
that the ice could InCase them In so short time.
II will be necessary TO remove at least seven or
eight inches Of ice before the bodies can be
Identified.
Captain McVay of the Larchmont for
merry a pilot the Joy Line steamer Ten
nessee. which arrived here yesterday from FAN
River He was promoted recently 20 the COM
mand OF the LarChmunt and, according TO Cap
tain Wilcox OF tho Tennessee, he was n good
skipper and thoroughly trustworthy man.
Captain MCNay a cool. level headed
man." Captain Wilcox said. "He understood
his business thoroughly and one
could depend upon 10 show good Judgment In
the time OF need. He was brave. and / dare
say he stayed with the ship to the last"