River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-07-04
MlD.ocEAn PERILs.
How an Atlantic Steamer Was Saved Fro
Destruction nv Fire

Destruction by Fire.
Many persons think that too much
| power is vested in the captain, but as
accidents occur suddenly there is no
time to hold a meeting and discuss
what is best to be done; the most SER
ious results might ansue while the
question was being decided.
In order to prove the truth Of my
statement ! will narrate one incident
from my experience, which took place
when l was in command Of the Baltic
In 1873.
We were about half way across the
| Atlantic on our passage to Liverpool.
went down to the saloon that day, as
usual when the weather permitted, 70
take my lunch. and was sitting at the
table talking with those near me.
Happening &c turn around, saw my
servant entering the door. and was in
stantly aware by his agitated appear
ancc that something was wrong.
He came up to me and, speaking in a
low tone. so as not to be heard by
others, said: "The ship is on fire for
ward. sir" For one moment my heart
leaped into my throat and my blood rar
cold. Fire on board ship in the middle
Of the Atlantic Ocean is no trifing mat
/ ter. / knew that there was a large
4 quantity OF cotton on board, and. as
we had but few steerage passengers, it
had been slowed in the compartment
usually allotted to them. and realized
at once the danger we were in. Not
wishing to alarm any one. / quietly
laid down my knife and fork, arose
from my chair and went on deck. The
sight that met my eyes was appal-
ling. Smoke and flames fully six feet
in height were pouring out Of the for
ward ventilators. The hose had been
connected and the pumps started. All
the men were at work making every
| effort to subdue the fire. but thus far had
made no visible impression upon it.
Although no alarm had been given, the
passengers soon heard that the ship
was on fire. and one and all rushed on
deck. They stood pale and terrified.
looking alternately at the flames and
I
take; but there was no screaming nor
any sign of panic.
| i soon discovered that nothing could
| be done through the ventilators, and or
| dered them to be cover with tarpaulins.
4 l then had the matches removed to
reach the source from which the fire
originated. As soon as the hatchway
was opened a dense black volume OF
smoke arose, followed by flame. The
water that was then poured down had
not the least effect, and saw that there
was no time to lose if the ship was to
be saved.
At the time this disaster occurred she
was running before a strong westerly
gale and heavy sea. An idea suddenly
flashed through my mind, and / at once
determined to act upon it ! went up
on the bridge and, calling to all who
cover as quickly as possible. i imme-
diately ordered the helm to be put to
port, bringing the sea nearly abeam.
A tremendous wave broke on board,
filing the hatchways and flooding the
deck. Tons of water poured down be-
low, and instead of black smoke issuing
from the hatch, saw a cloud of steam
ascend, proving that the fire was under
control.
kept the ship before the wind and
sea, and set all hands to work hosting
up bales of cotton. In about an hour
they reached the place where the fire
commenced, and / had the satisfs ction
of seeing it very soon extinguished. Al
though the passengers were very much
frightened, there was but little commo'
ton, and must give them the credit OF
manifesting wonderful self-control un-
der the exciting circumstances
American Review.