New York's awful steamboat horror .. (1904)

Author: Northrop, H[enry] D[avenport], 1836- [from old catalog]
Subject: General Slocum (Steamboat)
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa., National publishing company
Possible copyright status: NOT_IN_COPYRIGHT
Language: English

 

APPALLING HORROR
IN
NEW YORK BAY.
CHAPTER I.
FRIGHTFUL CATASTROPHE BY FIRE AND WATER.
NOTHING approaching the great calamity of June
I5tli ever before happened in New York waters. In
the midst of such an awful destruction of life, the exact
number of those who perished is immaterial, but it is
certain that on day of the calamity more than looo souls
were sent to their long homes without a moment's warning
to prepare for death. The list of the missing has
reached an appalling length.
"How did such a thing happen?" That was the
question that was reiterated up and down the length
and breadth of the city. People read that the captain
found his boat with its living cargo was on fire at i loth
street, and yet did not drive it to the shore until he
reached 138th street, a mile and a half from the
place were the cry of "Fire!" first reached his ears.
Capt. William H. Van Schaick of the "Slocum" explained
as best he could how such a horrible disaster had
come to a steamer under his care and direction. He is
a man 61 years old, and has had long experience in commanding
pleasure craft in the waters around New York.
Capt. Van Schaick said that, though he heard the alarm
of fire early, he made up his mind at once that there was.....Read more