New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-25
Thrilling NIGHT SCENE AT SEA

THRILLING NIGHT SCENE AT SEA
London. july 24.-The British steamer Man
nattau. Captain Robinson, from Ncw-Iork July
O for Hull. which had on board the crew and
catt,emen from the National Line steamer Egypt,
Contain sumner, from Ncw-NorS July 10 Tor
Liverpool, before reported abandoned on fire at
sea. passed 81. Catncrine's Point at 10 O'Clock
tins mornng Sine signalled that she would land
the people from the Egypt al Dover.
Upon arriving At Dover the Manhattan sent the
crew Of the Egypt ashore in boats. The land
inc of the shipwrcckcd sailors was watched with
interest by the great crowd of people that had
gathered on the docks. and the men who had 50
narrowly escaped death were warmly welcomed
upon reaching land.
H. SENS that o. tie Manhattan approached the
Fcvyt the German snip Gustav and Oscar,
Catklin Soeuiaan. bound from Hamburg for New
York. which was lying near the burning vessel
sent up sigrals of distress These were immedl-
ately answered by Captain Robinson. of tie Man
haitian. who found that The decks of the German
vessel were crowded with the crew of the Egypt
who with tie cattlcmen who were the lost
steamer he'd hgeu transferred to the Gustav ana
Oscar. The shipwreCkcd men numbered ninety
five in all. and there was no room for them on
tbe German vessel, which was in an almost sink
.ng condition.
The captain of the Manhattan had his boats
lowered quickly and the sufferers were soon safe
IN board that vessel
The Manhattan sighted the Egypt in full blaze
in satitude :2s north. longitude 80 west. but,
being laden with oil, dared not 90 near the burn
ing vessel.
Captain Robinson, of the Manhattan, who
formerly sailed in the National Line informed
the rcscned officers that he had only enough pro-
visions for forty persons and discussion was had
as to whether not to make the Azores, 2oO
miles distant 1t was finally decided to proceed
for Dover, and every one was placed on short
rations.
There were 64O head of cattle on the Egypt
and all were either burned to death or. breaking
loose and plunging overheard, were drowned
For time there was much confusion
on the Egypt bat no panic occurred.
CAPTAIN Su1aner. Of the Egypt while lighting
the fire. had his face badly burned, especially
about the eyes.
The fire broke out at 0 o'clock on July II. and
blazed fercely until midnight A fireman who
was at work in cool-bunler on tic starhoard
side of the vessel first discovered the lire ana
sounded an alarm. The pumps were quickly
manned and lines of hose were stretched IN the
direction of the fre. For four hours the crew
fought the flames her0icalIy, amid binding SMOKE
and fierce heat. Bat notwithstanding all theT
efforts the fire gained rapidly and the vessel was
at length almost one mass of nanles.
AT / o'clock the Gustav and Oscar hove III
SIGHT. ard preparations were at once made 10
abandon the burning steamer Two oi tAe
Egypts boats were damaged and he'd 10 be .elt
behind The six others were IoWere /, ana 'llei
oil hands had been safely got aboard the uo"l'
were directed toward the German vessel Whlch
ycos reached at g O'clock From the decks OF tee
German ship the crew of the Egypt watched the
burrnne st-s,nrr Un,,l n....'s..-
Several OF tie Egypts crew declare tlmo 'ne
steamer lacked two OF her proper conpemenI %
boats Many Of the cattle on the tgypt were
suffocated aud the others, half roasted; rushed
overheard roaring madly. HE scene Is e'
as horrible in the extreme.
At Dover the shipwIecked s'ilors received care
at the Sailors Home. Tomorrow the MeI VII
proceed 10 London. The men all speak Ill tTi rs
OF hich praisc Of the kindness shown them ny Tie
captain and crew of the Manhattan.
According 10 on Official statement that has oeen
made the fire occurred 100 miles from Land S
End The flames first appeared among some
bales OF cotton which were slowed directly over
The boilers The fire dried MP the pumps until
at last they refused 70 work.
The National Companv chartered tug NJ
with provisions
Captain james Sumner. of the EgYpt. IS the
commodore Of the National Line. Tie company
do rot insure their vessels. but put the amount
which they would have 70 pay rs premiums INTO
a special fund on account OF their vessels.
Tie Board Of Trade to-day srnt speciaI
messenger to make inquiries concerning thc loss
at the Office of the National Line. This IS an
unusual action for the Board 70 take