Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-15
FIRE IN HER HOLD.
The City Of RichmOnd's Per-
ilous Voyage.
Four Days at Sea With a Cargo
of Burning Cotton.
A Gale Blowing and the Water Too
Rough to Lower Boats.
Terrible Suspense Suffered by the Panic
Stricken Passengers-The Flames
at Last Subdued.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
QUEENsrowN, June 1.-THE steamer
Servia, which left New York june 9th,
arrived today. The captain reports that
on midLight, Thursday last, he sighted
the Inman line steamer City of Rich
mond, from New York, June Sd, bound
for this port and Liverpool. The latter
vessel was flying signals of distress, and
the Servia bore down to her to offer as
sistance. Captain Redford, of the City
of Richmond, reported his cargo on fire,
and the Servia stood by and steamed
slowly by the side of the City of Rich
mond until Brow Head was sighted.
Captain Redford reported that on
Tuesday, at midnight, a lady cabin
passenger, upon getting out of her berth,
noticed that the floor of her stateroom
was very hot. She Immediately gave
the alarm, and an examination was
quickly made. This resulted
in the discovery of smoke issu-
ing from the forehold, and the smell
indicated that the cotton in the hold, Of
which the vessel carried 1900 bales, was
on fire. In less than three minutes all
the passengers, including those in the
steerage, we're on deck. Most of them
hurriedly left their berths and rushed
on deck scantily attired. Large volumes
OF water were poured down upon the
burning cotton, but with small effect,
and until the steam fire annihilators
were used, no diminution of the fire was
visible.
While the captain and engineers were
trying to get the fire under control, an
other scene presented itself on deck,
under the eyes of the anxious but we'll
behaved crowd of passengers. Pro-
visions of all sorts were being carried
by the stewards to the ships boats
in view of the possible necessity of
abandoning the vessel. Throughout
the period of alarm gale was blowing,
and the ship rolled heavily. During the
dark hours of suspense, the most of the
passengers were perfectly calm, most of
them making preparations to leave the
ship.
Until daylight, on Wednesday, the
1xfentOf the fire was not known, SO
dense was the smoke enveloping the
decks. The sea, too, became so heavy
it would have been almost impossible
for the passengers and crew to put off in
boats if such course had been deemed
necessary. Soon after daylight, how
ever, the captain was able to assure the
people that there was no immediate
danger. But, although the fire had been
checked, 1T remained smoldering in the
mass of cotton, and might break into
flames at any moment. 1t was impossi-
BILE to discover its extent owing to the
fact that every aperture in the vicinity
of the hold had to be closed in order to
prevent the flames from being famed
by the gale.
The stewards continued the prepara-
tions to abandon the ship, and had
1000 pounds Of beef cooked for the |
boats. Hopes of relief came in the
morning when the vessel, Counsellor.
was sighted. After an interchange of
signals she agreed to remain alongside
the distressed steamer. Throughout
Wednesday the crew continued to pour
water and steam upon the burning
cotton. In the evening an attempt was
made to reach the hold, for the purpose
of discovering if possible the extent of
the fire. Four smouldering bales were
taken out of the hold, when it was
found to be imperative to shut up every
thing in order to exclude the air.
All of Thursday the situation contln-
ued much the same. There were occa-
sional outbursts of dense smoke from
the hold, but no flames were visible.
There was heavy sea running all day.
Toward midnight the Servia bore down
toward the two vessels, and agreed to
stay by the City of Richmond. The
latter and the Servia then went ahead
at full speed, leaving the Counsellor
astern.
On Friday the fire appeared to shift
from time to time to different parts of
the hold, but seemed to be lessening in
intensity. On Saturday no smoke was
visible, and it was supposed the fire was
out.
A number Of cabin passengers were
forced to abandon their cabins in conse
quence of the fire, and had not changed
clothing for four days. The origin of the
fire is supposed to have been spon-
taneous combustion.
The scene on deck after the discovery
of the fire was remarkable. Many
groups of women prayed fervently,
while others were crying. There were
140 barrels of oil slowed close to the
burning cotton. Luckily the flames did
not communicate to the oil. 1t is be-
lieved the fire was completely subdued
before the City of Richmond reached
Queenstown. The vessel has proceeded
for Liverpool and is declared to be all
right.
A passenger says it was fearful night.
The wind was screeching through the
rigging, and the seas were washing
over the decks. There was little hope
OF safety in case it should become neces-
sary to take to the boats. The suspense
was terrible, but all bore up splendidly.
The intermediate and steerage passen-
gers were comfortably installed in the
saloon, away from the smoke and fumes
coming from the burning cotton.