Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1883 — MARINE CASUALTIES. [ARTICLE]

MARINE CASUALTIES.

The Logs of Life Larger in 1888 than in 1882, and Accidents Fewer. 1 • [Washington TelegramJ • The Supervising Inspector General of Steam Vessels reports that during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1883, the total number of accidents resulting*in loss of fife was-thirty-four, of which twelve were from ex pjosidns, five from fire, eleven from col' Wons, and six from snags, Wrecks and Sinking. The total live# lost by accidents from various causes during the year 264, of which sixty-ninea\ere fromtfieexplosionpr accidental escape of steam, Olg-htv-two from Collisions, < forty-five rrotn .fires, fifty from • wrecks or founder, thffty-tree from accidental drowning, and. five from other causes. As compared with the previous fiscal year the number of accidents to steameis was.less, while the loss of life was greater, us the following tables will show: Total number of accidents to steamers resulting in loss in 1832, 41; in 18S3» 84; decrcas© 7. Total number of lives lost in 1882, 205; in. 1883, 284; increase, 7H The main increase occurred in accidents caused by collisions, forty-eight lives being lost in excess of the number lost in 1682. The next greatest wan in loss by shipwreck, being forty-four more than the previous year. The increase by explosions was eighteen. The loss of fife by fires, accidental drowning, etc., was less than the previous year. The most serious single accident of the year was caused by the cofli ion of the steamer Scioto and John Lomas, which occurred on the Ohio river near a place called Mingo Junction July 4, resulting in a loss of fiftyeight Uvea A sad reflection in connection with the loss of life on the Scioto is thefacu that notwithstanding the sinking of that vessel very few lives need necessarily have been lost, as the saloon deck of the steamer, where most of the passengers were, was only submerge.! to the depth of probably not exceeding two and a half feet, while the hurricane deck was from four to five feet above the water’s edge. The great, loss incurred must therefore be attributed, to the fright and panic natural to such accidents, causing the passengers to thiow themselves overboard.