COLLISION ON THE LAKE OF GENEVA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7143, 21 January 1884, Page 5

COLLISION ON THE LAKE OF GENEVA.

It is believed that at least fifteen lives were lost by a collision between the steamers Cygno and Rhone, on the Lake Genova. A violent storm, with a heavy fog, prevailed at the time. The Cygne ran into the Rhone with such force that the latter wont down within two minutes. Only five persons who were on board the Rhone were saved, and among these were the daptain and fireman, who were able to got on board the Cygne, and a young bridegroom, who went mad on discovering that ho had saved another woman in mistake for his wife. The Geneva correspondent of the Daily News sends some additional particulars. He says: steamer Cygno, belonging to the Lake Navigation Company, and under the charge of Captain Kopp, had left Ouchy, about half-past 5, on her way to Evian les Bains. A furious north-east gale was blowing, known here as the bite, and the water was so agitated that many of the passengers were sick. The night was pitch dark, but no danger was apprehended, although it was known that the steamer Rhone was crossing from Evian to Ouchy, having left about the same time. When half-way across the lights of the Rhone were observed, but keeping her proper course the Cygne continued her voyage, when from some unexplained cause, the Rhone suddenly altered her course, coming right across the bows of the Cygne, which struck her with tremendous force full amidships. In an instant a terrible scene ensued. Owing to the bitter cold, all the passengers of both vessels were in the cabins; and those of the Rhone had no time to get on deck, as the vessel was cut down to the water’s edge, and sank in less than a minute, at a spot where the lake is upwards of six hundred feet deep, carrying with her at least fifteen persons, including the steward and.his wife and two engineers. Owing to the darkness and the storm and the rapidity of the disaster, little could be done to save life. Some of the sailors and a few of the passengers, managed to scramble on board the Cygne, or were rescued from the water a few minutes later. It is said that the screams of the drowning people were heard at Ouchy, and caused the utmost consternation. As the water was found to be coming rapidly into the Cygne, her captain turned back to Ouchy, which was the nearest point, and which she reached with difficulty, being half filled with water. None of the bodies have up to the present been recovered, and probably will not be until they are carried into shallower water by the rapid currents.” Evian is a small town, with about 3000 inhabitants, picturesquely situated on the border of the Lake of Geneva, with a lofty and conspicuous spire. High above the lake, in the centre of the town, is the bath house, with alkaline baths, which are much resorted to. The garden terraces at the back afford a beautiful view; and the scenery from Evian to Bouveret is very grand, finer than that of the northern shore of the lake. Ouchy, on the northern shore of the lake, is the port of Lausanne, the capital of the canton of Vaud, and is situated about a mile from Lausanne. It was here that Byron wrote “ The Prisoner of Chillon.” He wrote it in the Ancre Inn during two days in which he was detained by bad weather in June, 1816.