The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-12
ON FIRE IN MID-OCEAN.

THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF THE PASSENGERS
ON THE STEAMER sIosEL-THE SHIP BURN
ING AND THE OFFICERS PERsIsTENILY RErI-
CENT-GALLANTRY OF THE CAPTAIN AND
CREW.
al dell You holdings about it," said the first
officer of the steamship Mosel yesterday to HERALD
reporter. "Thc Captain Is ashore. and he said to mo
say holdings to nobody. and can say no more"
Tho Mosel had just arrived at her dock at Hoboken
and the reporters inquiries were directed to the
particulars Of the Are on board the steamer the
Sd inst. Some OF the passengers still engaged
in getting their luggage ashore. and as the Captain
could not be found and the first officers mouth
closed by the orders OF his SUPERIOR the reporter
terrogated tho intelligent looking of those that
he could find.
'.He would tell You nothing. ch9" tho passenger
SID. eyng the rubicund official "wcll. that is the
way they treated ut the time of the fire. It occurred
the Sd inst. in the morning. About eight o'clock
it was rumored that there fire on board. There
had been announcement made that such
was the case and many of us doubted the
truth of the report. When tho officers were ques-
toned in regard to 1t they gave aud
made light Of the matter. When the fact could no
longer be concealed they said it affair OF no
consequence, and the Captain already attending
to it, We might have known nothing about 1T in
the beginning but for the noise made by the pumps
and the smoke which issued from one of tho
forward matches. 1t was plain to all that there
fire in one of the freight compartments OF the
vessel but IN spite OF the evidences OF senses.
the officers would give US no information. Tho
Rangways and passages and even the cabins
nooued Win wafer. Even the women VINO were sur.
fering from seasckness were compelled to leave
their berths.
PANIC.
'Some OF the steerage passengers came on the
quarterback with their wives and children and the
alarm was becoming general. The rumors were of
the most contradictory character, and the only
wonder is that the alarm did not degenerate into a
panic. The extent of the fire could not be learned
aud it was said among other things. that the soke
dense to hinder all approach to it and pre-
vent eectual work in extingushin g it, This proved
to be true and the workers repeatedly repulsed
by the smoke in their efforts to get at the hanes.
"And through all this there not word of
surancc or warning to the passengersr' the reporter
asked.
mot q word. except when the lfeboats were made
clear, aud then told 1t only prudential
measure. We feared. however that the danger was
greater than the officers affected to believe all felt
instnctivey that they should prepare for the worst
The utmost order and decorum prevailed. There
were no waings Of distress; no amless rushiugs
to and fro in search OF place OF safety; cries
even from the many women and children ON board.
This fortunate condition may have resulted from
the fact that no official signals of distress had as
yet been given, and in that tho action OF tho
officers OF tho Mose was wise; or it may have been
caused by the feeling OF confidence tho passengers
had in the capacity aud extreme caution of Captain
Neynsber qualities that have made his name pro-
verbal among such had sailed with him in the
past.
FIGHrrNa THE FLAMES
"Ihe report then came that the Captain, amid
steam aud smoke. In position scarcely to be
dured physically. aud to the wonder and urago-
ment of his crew. was personally conducting the
work against the fire. The smoke was still pouring
from the hatchway forward and some time later .
brisk flame was seen to issue from OF the
tilators. The vessel turned before the wind.
but still no word OF advice or encouragement, no
Information as to our actual condition came from
the Captain himself An omnous and unbroken
silence prevailed. and oven when spoke to each
other our WORDS were uttered IN whispers. Thus
matters remained for some time, but suddenly,
vutlt ,s,r
announcement. mans voice, strong and clear, rang
out with the welcome words, The Captain bids me
say that there IL no further danger ="
This statement was received with hurrah that
came from u hundred throgts. Tho ammo uncencut
brought relief to many until then sorely afflicted
hearts. After this tho passengers, who, In spite of
the FALLING rain. had remained deck, gradually
Withdrew To their cabins. although sone doubted
still the full iorco OF the good news. About twelve
o'clock the Captain exhausted his clothing wet and
torn, the pcrspration still streaming down his
weather beaten face appeared anon thn pnssrnr,rs
with a bundle OF black sewing silk in his hand and
said.-'Lades and gentlenon--Tho danger liz past.
We found the seat and origin OF the fire tho CEN
tire OF the freight taken ON at Southampton. IL was
fortunate that the goods consisted mainly of silk
like this. which docs not give active flame. DO
assured that the fire Is out
IN SAFETY.
1.-THE effect of this announcement upon the pas
sengers can better be imagined than described.
Never were glaadcr tidings spoken. and they were
received by all as their devorancc from the great
danger which had been threatened. Tho working of
the pumps had ccasod. the propeller began to movo
and the Mosel was again on her regular course Now
the passengers gradually retired rost confident Of
their safety. and on awakng the following morning
found the good ship In much the saino condition as
AZ nothing unusual had occurred
"Did YOU learn how tho hro originated?" tho re-
porter asked
"No, We did not. II is not clear what caused 10.
but wo all congratulated ourselves that IL
discovered and 80 speedily brought under control.
When the danger had passed tho passengers held
meeting, and returned thanks 10 the officers and
crew Tor their gallantry and devotion. We agreed
upon statement Of facts for publication, which is
substantially tho same AZ that which have given
you. or course feel bound to tell you nothing ex-
cept what IL contained in that statement, with which
the Captain Is particularly pleased"
And that is the reason, 1 presume no has or
dered that no other shall be nader
III. 49,.