THE BURNING OF THE GENERAL SLOCUM.
ONE of the most terrible disasters that has ever occurred in this country was the burning and sinking of the steamer, General Slocum, in Long Island Sound, on June 15. The steamer had on board about 1,500 persons, mostly women and children, comprising the Sunday-school of St. Mark's German Lutheran Church. It was a Sunday-school picnic, and the excursionists were happy in the prospect of a day with the trees and flowers and birds. The boat was just well under way when the fire broke out. The steamer was old and seasoned and burned like tinder. In a few minutes the whole vessel was enveloped in flames, and the frantic passengers, in attempting to avoid the fire, crowded hundreds over the rails of the three decks into the swift-rushing waters of Hell Gate. Tugs hurried to the help of the burning ship, and succeeded in rescuing many from the water and quite a number from the steamer; but before she was beached the majority were either burned to death on the ship or had plunged into the waters of the Sound. Almost as soon as the vessel sank divers began bringing up the bodies of the dead. One of the saddest things connected with the terrible catastrophe was the perishing of hundreds of little children. Those who were rescued tell heart-rending tales of the terrible experience through which they passed. The latest report states that 632 bodies have been recovered, and that 300 persons are still missing. It is believed that a considerable number of bodies are still held in the clutch of the wreckage of the burned vessel. This would make the loss of life considerably over 900. This disaster illustrates another instance of criminal negligence in the matter of steamship inspection. The life-preservers were found to be utterly worthless, and the cloth too rotten to hold together. The fire hose was also so rotten that it burst under the first pressure of the pumps. A rigid investigation is to be made by federal, state, and local officials.