Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1883 — MARINE CASUALTIES. [ARTICLE]

MARINE CASUALTIES.

The Loss of Life Larger in 1888 than in 1882, and Accidents Fewer. 4, [Washington Telegram.] The Supervising Inspector General of Steam Vessels reports that during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1883, the total number of accidents resulting in loss of life was thirty-four, of which twelve were from ex plosions, five from fire, eleven from col listens, and six from snags, wrecks and sinking. The total lives lost by accidents from various causes during the year were 284, of which sixty-nine were from the explosion or accidental escape of steam, eightytwo from collisions, forty-five from fires, fifty from wrecks or founder, thirty-tree from accidental drowning, and five from other causes. As compared with toe previous fiscal year the number of accidents to steamers was less, while toe loss of life was greater, as the following tables will show: Total number of accidents to steamers resulting In loss in 1882, 41; in 1883, 34; decrease, 7. Total number of lives lost in 1882, 205; in 1883,'284; increase, 7V. The main increase occurred in accidents caused by collisions, forty-eight lives being lostin excess of toe number lost In 188$. The next greatest was in loss by shipwreck, being forty-four more than toe previous yean The increase by explosions was eighteen. The loss of life by fires, accidental drowning, eta, was less than the previous yean The most serious single accident of toe year was caused by toe collision 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 toe loss of life on the Scioto is the fact 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 submerged to the depth of probably not exceeding two and a half feet, while toe hurricane deck was from four to five leet 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 throw themselves overboard.