The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-05-24
ONE HUNDRED PERSONS PERISH
WHEN STEAMERS COLLIDE
Number OF Americans We're aboard
the Steamers and Some of These
Reported as Among the Missing.


Peninsular and Oriental line steamer
Egypt sank off the Island of Ushant
after collision with the French
freight steamer Seine.
The Egypt sailed from London for
Bombay Friday with A passengers
and crew of 200. A roll call on
board the Seine after the disaster
showed hat at least Is Of the passen-
gers and so Of the crew Of the Egypt
were missing.
The collision occurred during a
dense fog within 90 miles of the
Armcn lighthouse. The dinner gong
was about to be sounded on board the
Egypt, many Of the passengers and
most of the crew were OH deck. The
shock threw several persons into the
sea; others jumped and a number went
down with the Ship which sank in
20 minutes. The Egypt was rammed
amidship on the port side.
The Seine, badly damaged, reach
cd Brest today with 30 rescued pas
sengers, more than 200 Of the crew,
and the bodies Of 20 dead. The cap
tain of the Egypt is among the saved.
When the collision occurred there
was rolling sea, some Of those res
cucd charge that the Indian sailors
on board the Egypt took to the life
boats Immediately the vessels crash
ed, so that large number of the pas
sengers and crew had to shift for
themselves.
Those who jumped into the sea and
who could swim scrambled about for
bits Of wreckage to which they might
cling. Many Of these were rescued.
They floatcd about in the fog after the
Egypt went down, calling for help. The
sound Of their voices directed men,
bers Of the crew Of the Seine in small
boats who we're patrolling the sea,
picking up both living and dead.
In some instances the rescue crews
came upon persons clinging to bits Of
debris who let go and sank just as
aid for them was at hand The small
boats on numerous occasions sought
vainly in the fog to locate persons lift
ing cries Of distress through the fog.
Among the known missing are the doc
tor and chief engineer Of the Egypt
The Egypt was vessel Of 5000 tons.
The Seine was bound for Havre when
the disaster occurred.
Captain lie Barzic, of the Seine, in
describing the disaster, said:
Il was at my post on the upper
bridge Saturday evening at Z O'Clock,
ID miles from Armen light. The sea
was calm, with slight swell The
fog was very dense; was listening for
fog horns and proceeding at the slow
speed Of five knots.
"In less time than it takes to tell
a great steamer emerged from the
fog. 1t struck my ship and tore
away the forward works and moved
on at great speed Immediately or
dercd our engines reversed.
II saw nothing further. But then
began to hear cries Of horror that told
me of a catastrophe. I went in search
of the stricken vessel in the fog and
darkness. I found her in twenty min
utes.
'fShe lay on her port side, ready
to turn over Water was pouring into
a long, deep tear in her side plates. |
Cries and walls Of despair were to
be heard coming from the steamer.
Passengers were seen running about
on the decks, as the steamer was about
to go under.
III saw man throw himself into the
sea with two little children in his
arms. The ship-wrecked people in
the sea clung to floating debris. / |
had all my lifeboats lowered. It was
particularly perilous work, for we
were on the main path of vessels go
Ing from the open sea to the English
channel / stayed at the scene of the
wreck until 20 minutes after II o'clock
Saturday night"
iLondon, May 21.-Two American
women, Mrs. M. L. Sibley and Miss v.
M. Boyer. were on board the steamer
Egypt and are missing according to
the Peninsular and Oriental line Of
ficials here. Their home addresses
are not known to the company.
fe. II. Evans, another American, was
saved.
1t was said late tonight that there
might be more survivors Of the dis
aster since the steamer Cap Iracon
WAS nina miles away at tho time of tho