Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-25
A THRILLING STORY.
THE BURNING or the STEAMER
M0SEl,
As Related by Mr. s. H. LANCE, Ofthis
City, Who was a Passenger-Ihe
Peculiar Sensation ola
Fire al Sea.

The terrible disaster at sea, as re-
corded in yesterdays REGISTER, will
bring to mind the burning, three weeks
AGO. OF the North German Lloyd steam
shin Mosel, en- route from Southampton,
England, to New York. Mr.. F. II.
LANCE, OF this city, son-in-law OF Alex.
Rogers, Esq, and wife were passengers
on that vessel, and the former can tell,
in a most thrilling manner, his exper-
fence on that dreadful night. A
writer from the REGISTER found Mr..
LANCE, Yesterday, at his place Of bust
ness, and desired him to give a relation
of the story of the fire, and the peculiar
sensations he experienced during 1t.
His story is as bllows:
On Friday night, October 3, the ves-
sci was four nights out from Southamp-
ton. About o'clock in the evening he
was sitting with his wife in the ladies
cabin when a friend came leisurely in
and touched him on the shoulder, desir-
ing to speak TO him. He turned to him,
when he said, III very calm whisper:
"Tell your wife to put on her warmest
clothing, and you get some Bremen
bread ready as soon as possible. The
ship is on fire. AT these words, the
most appalling that can be uttered at
sea, the blood seemed to chill suddenly
In Mr. Lange's veins. The countenance
OF his friend was quito serene, but there
was no mistaking his meaning. The
direful news was soon communicated TO
all the passengers, and the scene which
| - -
men tottered to their state rooms, and Il
white despair settled on the faces Of all.
Mr.. LANCE did as directed and fastened
to the deck. Here fearful scene and
marked contrast was visible. The smoke
was pouring from the forward part OF the
ship, every crack and pore spouting
like q furnace. About 500 emigrants
were on board, and many Of
them were running about in frenzy
of despair, mothers calling for their
children and wives for their husbands.
In marked contrast TO this was the dis
cIpline among the crew. Every sailor
was at his post, AMI the greatest cool
ness was noticeable everywhere.
All this time no fire had been seen
and no one knew just where it was sit
uated. The smoke came from the for
ward mold and into it the water was
turned, the engines being stopped TO
concentrate all force on the pumps. The
passengers were called upon 10 work in
assisting in removing cable from the ca
BILE lockers, 10 enable an opening to be
cut into the hold, and in the excite
ment OF acton the danger was not
needed.
Finally the middle cabin was filed
with smoke, and the destruction OF the
vessel seemed inevitable. "My God!'
said Mr.. LANCE, at this point, 81 cannot
tell YOU the feelings OF every one then.
We seemed driven back, inch by inch,
until the time seemed near when we
must take TO the water. Once the cap
tain thought of turning back after a
steamer we passed in the afternoon, but
after a council, ordered the life boats
out. Then everything seemed lost.
Friends chung hopelessly together and
women tainted on every side.
But Just at this point the first mate
discovered an opening into the fire, and
every one was put to work with renewed
vigOr. The flames burst out rapidly.
but now that they could be reached,
they were met by water as fast as they
arose from the cargo, and were unable
TO spread to the woodwork of the steer
aye. The men soon began to beat back
the fire inch by inch. Occasional bursts
OF flame would make it difficult for
them to hold their positions, but no
one hinched. The fire was finally
checked and following up their advan-
tage, the men completely extinguished
it soon after midnight.
Toward morning the Captain and his
officers persuaded the passengers to re-
tire to their berths, assuring them that
danger was past. They obeyed, but
there was no sleep that night. The pro-
visions and water were removed from
the life-bOats, and they were again
securely lashed. The steamer was soon
going again at full speed, and the work
OF pumping out the water which had
been thrown into the hold was begun.
But not until the next evening was it
certainly known the fire was entirely
out "Then," said Mr.. Lange, lima
CINE our feelings. The band played
hymns and there was not dry eye on
board. Great, strong men cried for
very JOY. That day a terrible storm
came up, and we know that il We had
taken TO the boats not person would
have lived to tell the story"
Mr.. LANCE says he has enough of
ocean travel to last him during his natu-
raj life, and would not again cross the
water for 81 900 note. He was much
struck with the gallant conduct OF Capt.
Neynaber, his officers and crew, and,
with the other passengers, signed a tes-
timonial to that effect.