Only one woman passenger fromLa Bourgognewas saved, and all children perished.

The Transatlantic steamer La Bourgogne, entering the port of Le Havre, France.

She was a sleek-looking ocean liner, nearly five hundred feet in length with four masts and twin funnels.

La Bourgogne

In her short career of 12 years, theLa Bourgognewas involved in at least three accidents.

In 1896, she rammed an anchored British steamer at the entrance to New York harbor and sank her.

She was also involved in a collision with theSS Toreadordamaging her stern.

Cromartyshire’s damaged bow after the collision

Dense fog had reduced visibility to only about 20 yards, and theCromartyshirewas travelling at full speed.

Cromartyshires damaged bow after the collision.

Photo:17qq.com

La Bourgognebegan to list immediately to starboard.

Article image

As the ship started to list and the stern went under, the crew began to panic.

Some used fists and oars to beat up any passengers who attempted to come near the boats.

Some passengers were stabbed.

The crew of theCromartyshirewasnt aware of the extent of the damage until after the fog had thinned.

Photo:17qq.com

La Bourgognewas carrying 506 passengers and 220 crew.

Not a single child was rescued.

Almost all first class passengers died in the disaster, with survivors largely limited to steerage passengers and sailors.