South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-01
Famous WhaIebaCk Steamer
Christopher Columbus
Knocks Reservoir Loose
in Making Turn.
TEARS THROUGH BRIDGE.
PILOT HOUSE And DECKS
Captain Says Accident Due to
Strong Current Which
Seized Vessels
From Tugs.
Associated Press Service

Associated Press Service.
AIILWAUKEE. June SO.-At least
10 persons were kiled-six wom-
en- and four men-and more than a
score of others were injured here
late this afternoon when the whale
back steamer Christopher columbus.
in swinging away for her return
trip To- Chicago crashed into dock
on the Milwaukee river. causing a
huge water tank TO fan from the
top of the dye-story Yahr q Lang
warehouse onto the deck OF the ves-
sci.
There were said 10 be apDroxi-
mately 400 passengers on the whale
back. including a number Of stu
dents from the University OF Chica-
go who were returning from an
outing
The first bodies recovered were
those of girls
Later three others were brought
in $50 dead so far have been iden-
tilted.
Tears Through TWO Docks.
The water tank tore through the
bridge. pilot house and two decks
and slid into the river when Il
struck the steel main deck
The officers Of the boat could give
no explanation for the tragedy.
They said James Brody. pilot was
at the wheel at the time and that
his wheel failed 10 respond. An un-
a.
OF the tugs guiding the bic vessel
had its hawser cast Off too soon.
The first person t. notice the
plight of the passengers were the
employees Of n provision company.
They put ont in "a steam launch and
picked up three dead bodies and
three more persons who had been
knocked unconscious as they were
thrown into the river bog the fall
ing tower.
Fire Chief Clancy and Chief OF
Police Jansen ordered every avail
able man under their command 10
assist in the work OF rescue. Fire
boat l.. was called into service to
transport the bodies 10 shore as they
were dug from The Wreckage 1y the
fremen
TaNi- Carry Away Injured.
Taxicahs and passing automobiles
were pressed into service % rush the
injured 90 hospitals
John MinoIa. John Amima and
John Caudino, sailors. went over
the side in q boat shortly after the
accident. They rescued two men
and a woman The woman died
before she reached the hospital
Among the injured We're David
Costelow. so years old. Milwaukee
scale CO.. "a resident Of Eew Orleans
lie has q skull fractured
The dining room was a shamble
as the rescuers pushed through
chairs and tables ard began 20 take
toll Of the victims
one woman, Miss Helen CrandaU.
had "a coat and book torn from her
hand Boy the rush ~ The falling steel.
but otherwise remained uniujured.
she said. "h warming cry from
someone caused me ~ draw back
Just ass the rush 0f debris came and
before could realize what had hap
UeIel the coat over uv arm and the
book iu mr hand were TORN away
from me as 10 hy giant fingers"
Capt Moody Hho was on The
bridge nc the time of The accident.
narrowly escaped death
Captain Pinned Down.
THE current was too strong for
the tugs" said Capt MOODY six
inches more ~ leeway would have
saved the vessel was pinned
down for a short time after the big
water tank fell. but managed % ex-
tricate myself and WAS not serious
ly injured The impact with the
deck tore away the under pinnine
holding the lofty tank The christ
opher Columbus viii be- out OF com
mission the rest % the season. as IL
viii require three months % repair
the damage"
IL was in 1893 that the Christ
opEer Columbus made her initial
appearance in fresh water. She was
built originally for The sightseeing
public I'm connection with tha