TERRIBLE PICNIC DISASTER

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3991, 26 July 1915, Page 5

TERRIBLE PICNIC DISASTER

EXCURSION STEAMER CAFSiZES. OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE DROWNED. CHICAGO PLUNGED INTO MOURNING, AN EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received Julv 2-5, 3.30 mm.) CHICAGO, July 24. 'I he Electric Company’s employees chartered the steamer Eastland for a day’s picnicking. Two thousand five hundred persons were crowded abo *rd. While the vessel was moored at tho wharf, the weight of humanity aboard caused her to list and many people fell or rolled to the wrong side. The vessel heeled over and broke her hawsers; and floated into the noddle of the river with her .-ide submerged, amidst scones of panic. Scores of the peouie were drowned in the cabins, and others leaped into the river. Steamers put out their boats and rescued hundreds, and policemen in laun hes picked up many. Scores clambered up the side while the East-land was floating slowly down the river and these were all saved. it: is bflieved that there are 700 bodies stii! aboard* in the flooded cabins. Life-savers arc cutting through the ship’s sides, hoping to' reach any who may have survived. One polNeman in a boat rescued 50 women and children. Three hundred bodies have been recovered. The poli '** have arr< sted all tho officials yf the steamship company. The crowd threatened to Ivrieh them en route to the police station. There wen: many rmnarkaifle escapes. One man, who was unable to swim, was caught by his coat on a nail and held up. Firemen chopped through the sides of the ship, but everyone was dead, the, bodies being piled like bales of merchandise. 'l’llere wen* pathetic scenes «>t tho morgue. The Customs reported tic t thevessel 'ari cd no more pic --t-ngm-s than tie- regulations provided. Survivors describe the sinking as like a Lghtnmg-stroke. It was impossible to effect rescues. Divers are recovering many of the bodie;;. The city is in mourning, ft is impossible to ascertain the number of dead, but they ar** known t-o exceed a thousand. it is believed that the disaster was due to a defect m the steamer s construction. DEATH BLOW TO FREE TRADE. FLUTTER IN BRITISH POLITICAL CIRCLES. PROPOSED IMPORT DUTIES. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (United Press Association — Copyright.J (Received .July 24. 6.20 p.m.) LONDON. July 24. There is a tremendous ' flutter amongst freetraders in consequence of Air Asquith’s implied assent to the imposition of import duties in or hr to lessen the consumption of ove: - -a goods. The “diehards" propose to strenuously oppose this, but it is belief* that a great majority in the House of Commons realise the imperative i ecsstiy of the situation. Imperi. '. protectionists are confident that . death blow will be dealt to free trade. A leading Italian review, the “Xuova Antologia.” sugg< sts an economic league between tlie Allies, citing Pitt's proposals in the House of Commons in 1703. The paper opines that the Allies could constitute the most formidable commercial phalanx in the world aud make neutral states think twice before sacrificing their future prospects for the sake of transient gains.