Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-18
ON FIRE AT SEA.
Tho Steamer Allianca's Narrow Escape
from Destruction.
New York Times


The steamer Allianca, which arrived
yesterday from Rio Janelro and other Bra
lillian ports, had an exciting experience IN
tho first part of July. Soon after starting
for Rio Janeiro for Bahia she narrowly
missed destruction by FIRE. The fact that
she had been obliged TO put back to Bahia
Oh July 10th has boon reported, but 1t was
not known how serious the affair had been.
After taking on board at Pernambu
600 bales of cotton, 500 of which were for
Santos and 500 Tor Rio JaneirO. and 100
pipes Of rum, the Allianca reached Bahia in
safety and left there on July 9Th. The
cotton. il seems, was wet when taken on
board. and was slowed in the 'midshlp COM
partment on top Of the pipes of rum. The
whole cargo was on the lower deck. There
were also eighty passengers. forty-tiye Of
whom were women and children.
Everything went we'll with the Alliance,
and there was no suspicion OF danger IN
the minds Of those on board until 9:45
O'clock on the evening OF the day they
had started from Bahia. They were then
one hundred and thirty-five miles from
their starting-point and making good pro-
gress, the weather being exceptionally
fine Suddenly, however. the cry of
Fire." was heard throughout the ship.
There had been a few moments OF hurried
movements among the officers and crew
q suppressed excitement that the. passen-
gers could not UNDERSTANDING then the
smell Of smoke and tho sound of cracking
flames had brought forth the cry. Deter
mined and intelligent action on the part Of
the officers and crew soon quoted the
panic that had ensued, however, and every
able-bodied man was pressed into the
ranks TO fight the fire.
1t had broken out in the bales Of cotton,
as the heat had eyaporated the moisture
with which il had been saturated. The
first knowledge that fire had broken out
was obtained by Third-Engineer Joseph
Neptune. While at work in the engine
room he heard q loud, cannon-like explo-
sion from the direction of the 'midship
compartment, followed by another and an
other. He quickly called Chief-Engineer
Van Iderstein. and both then reported to
the Captain.
That officer. upon coming and looking
below into the iire-rOoIn, was appalled, to
see blue flames licking the bulkhead which
separated the fire-room from the hold.
The fire had gained fearful Roadway. With
out losing any time the crew was called to
fire-quarters and two lines Of hose were
bent on. In few moments two other lines
were added, and four streams of water were
pouring into the hold. This at first seemed
to have no effect. The rum, which
had become heated ard burst the pipes
In when IL was cOnlAcu, Ioatcu oh Top
Of the water as il rose in the 'midstip COM
partmont, and as it rose it burned fercely.
Tho plates Of the vessel became almost
white hot, and the heat in al parts of the
ship grew unbearable. The Captain had
headed at once for shore and had run the
Alliance as near the beach as he dared.
The life-boats aud life-raft were launched,
and the women and children were placed
in them ready to cast on at moments
notice. =,
At 8 o'clock in the morning the fire was
under control, and twelve hours later the
Alliance started back for Bahia, where her
passengers and Ehat remained OF her cargo
were landed in safety. A survey was held
and the Alliance allowed to proceed on
her voyage. Over seven hundred bales OF
cotton had been thrown overheard and
three hundred bales moro were destroyed
by FIRE. The vessel itself was not badly
| damaged. however.