Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

Havana.-Hundreds of fine steers stampeded on board the American steamer St. Charles outside Havana harbor Saturday afternoon, and after creating a panic on board the ship, plunged into the sea, where they became the prey of the sharks which infest the waters off Merro Castle.
Except for a comparative few that swam ashore and now are wandering about in the suburbs of this city, all the 800 steers on the St. Charles are believed to have perished.
Sanitary officers who inspected the vessel upon her arrival Saturday, were alarmed when they found 130 dead steers in the hold of the ship. To avoid possible danger to the people of the city they ordered the captain of the St. Charles to put out to sea and there throw overboard the carcasses of the cattle that had died. While the crew was engaged in this task, steers on board became stampeded, broke down their corrals and ran amok. Frightened animals ran up and down the decks and then plunged overboard, where the tigers of the deep were awaiting them. Four were seen to strike the water almost simultaneously, and in an instant they were dragged beneath the surface, only a trail of blood telling their fate.
Tugs were sent out to the St. Charles and found the crew virtually paralyzed with terror. For a time there was danger the vessel would drift on a rock near the harbor entrance, but it was at last brought into port. It is reported only fifty carcasses have been removed from the ship, and harbor authorities are finding much difficulty in securing men to enter the hold of the steamer to complete the task of cleaning the St. Charles of its menacing cargo.