The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-17
AN IMPERILED SHIP.
Fighting Fire ON Board an Ocean
Steamer.
New York Times.1

New York Times.l
A fire was discovered in the lower hold
of the North German Lloyd steamship
Mosel, during the early part of her voy-
age from Southampton to this port, where
she arrived yesterday; but the crew, un-
der the direction of Captain A. F. Ney'
naber and his officers, succeeded in ex.
tinguishing the flames, after fighting
them for over four hours. The Mosel
left Bremen on September 2Sth, and at
Southampton, on tn S0th, quantity of
cargo, consisting of silk and cotton goods,
was taken on board. At 1850 on the
evening of October Sd some of the steer
age passengers discovered smoke pouring
up through the hatch from the hold be-
meath them. The alarm was given, and
the fire signal at once brought every man
belonging to the ship to his proper posi-
tion, ready for duty. The pumps were
set at work Immediately, and the fight
with the flames began. -. :.
There were 500 passengers on board,
and they were fully aware of their dan
ger; but they were quieted by the assur-
RANGES of the captain and the coolness
displayed by him and his officers.
Although extremely anxious, none of the
passengers gave way to their fears. The
Iife-boats were provided with provisions
and water, and were put in readiness to
be lowered at any moment. Each sailor
knew to what boat he belonged, and the
passengers say that if the fire had gained
control of the vessel her abandonment
would not have been attended with loss
of life. When the matches of the for
ward lower hold were removed, dense
smoke, followed by sheets of flame
poured up against the men as they ad-
vanced with lines ofhose. The men re-
mained manfully at their posts, and
streams of water were thrown on the
fire. The speed of the engine had been
checked, and all their force had been
concentrated on the fre-pumps.
The flames were met by water as fast
as they arose from the cargo, and were
unable to spread to the woodwork of the
steerage. The men soon began to beat
back the fire inch by inch. Occasional
bursjs 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 advant-
age, the men completely extinguished it
soon af,er midnight.
Toward morning the captain and his
officers persuaded the passengers to retire
to their berths, assuring them that the
danger was past. The provisions 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. 1t was found that the
fire had originated among the silk and
cotton goods which had been taken on
board at Southampton.
Many cases Of goods were partially
burned and others were damaged by the
water. Several packages which had been
nearly consumed were thrown overheard,
and during the early morning small
pieces of half burnt silk or cotton and
packages of sirged kid gloves were strewn
along the forward decks. A number of
cases of goods which were removed from
the hold in order to get at the flames
were stored in the steerage. The steam
ship herself was not damaged at all by
the re. The loss on the cargo from fire
and water has not been ascertained, and
the cause of the fire has not been ascer-
taineI. When it was discovered the
Mosel WAS in latitude 40 degrees Is min
utes, and longitude 23 degrees 20 min
utes. The cabin passengers have signed
les imonial in which the gallant conduct
of Captain Neynaber, his officers and the
crew in the hour Of peril is highly
praised.