Disaster at Hell Gate.

Manawatu Herald, 18 June 1904, Page 2

Disaster at Hell Gate.

PICNIC STEAMER BURNED. 500 DEATHS. One thousand children and nine hundred adults, chiefly women, connected with St. Mark’s German Lutheran Church, New York, were proceeding on the three-decked steamer General Slocum up the East River to Long Island, with bands playmg and flags flying, when a fire, originating in the kitchen, spread with frightful rapidity. ■ The Hell Gate rocks on both sides prevented the steamer from being immediately beached. The steamer went ahead full speed until she could be beached north of the Brothers Island. It was impossible to lower a lifeboat. The first rush of fire and smoke drove back those on the forward deck. Many were crushed against the rail and pushed overboard. As the panic increased many sprang overboard to avoid the flames. Dozens of parents threw their children overboard, following themselves. All were drowned ill the swift waters of Hell Gate, Dozens of craft pluckily tried to rescue the passengers, some of the vessels Stickitig by the sides of the burning steamer until they themselves were afire. When the vessel was beached the crowded hurricane deck collapsed, precipitating hundreds into the flames raging between decks. When the vessel stranded there was a considerable stretch of open water between the steamer and the shore, many perishing within sight of safety. Capt. Yenschalk remained aboard until the vessel was beached, when he leaped into the sea with his clothes ablaze.

The chief engineer perished at his post. Every man able to swim leaped overboard laden with children, who were mostly drowned in the terrific current. Others tied children to chairs. One man losing his wife and six children went mad. Already 447 bodies have been recovered. The survivors allege that the lifebelts were rotten and out of reach of the children. A man from the paddlewheel box threw women and children into a tug ranging alongside. The impact of the beaching caused the boilers to burst. The upper decks then fell, crushing hundreds. Thousands on shore witnessed the tragedy, but were unable to help.