Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-12-23
A STEAMSHIP ON FIRE.
The Guion Liner Abyssinia De-
stroyed at Sea.
THE PASSENGERS WE'RE RESCUED

Officers and Crew Of the Steamship Spree
Highly compiimented for Their Prompt
Assistance = Spontaneous Combustion
Supposed 20 Have Caused tho Fire.
LONDON, Dec. 2a-The steamship Abys
ainia, Of the Guion line, which sailed from
New York on Dec l3 for Liverpool, has been
burned at sea In latitude 40 degs north,
longitude 20 degs. west All hands were
saved. The news WINS brought by the North
German Lloyd steamer Spree, Captain VIII
hgerod, which loft New York Doc Is for
Bremen.
AT midnight last night the Spree landed
the passengers and crew oE the Abyssinia al
Southampton rhoy were al in fair condi
tion, having recovered from the shock
which their rough experience had given
many Of them, especially tho women pas
eenger Captain Murray, OF the Abyssinia,
spoke highly Of the humanity and courage
shown by the officers OF the Spree ia their
prompt assistance 30 the Abyssinia when
made aware OF the vessels danger
sigss OF Fire Discovered.
Tho Abyssinia's voyage was without espe-
ciai incident from the dato Of fstarting-Doc
13-untn lnfs Friday, Dec Is. II was about
noon when the eigns OF Gre were discovered
by the crew. Care was taken not 10 alarm
the passengers, and Captain Murray bent
every effort TO smother the iiamea They had
evidently been smolaeung IN the cargo for
some time, and when en attempt was made
to ascertain its extent a volume Of smoke
drove back tho explorers
II soon became evident that the vessel
was beyond saving, and the passengers were
quietly told to make preparations to leave,
the crew meantime laboring 10 ratard the
advance of the flames which threatened 70
burst from the hold. The passengers be-
haved well, even the women showing won
derful courage under the circumstances.
Distress Signals Hoisted.
All eyes were strained for sail, while the
growing heat Of the deck told OF increasing
danger. The flag Of distress was hoisted
and the horizon anxionsly scanned At
length the Spree came in sight, and the
speed with which she directed her course
toward the burning vessel carried Joy to
the crew and passengers Of the Abyssinia.
! Captain Willigarod lost no time ia Ques-
4 tions. He asked Captain Murray the condi-
/
/ instantly caused his boats to be lowered,
and the German sailors quickly manned
them and made for tho burning vessel The
sea was not running high, and transship-
ment was accomplished without extraordi-
nary danger. The first let down into the
boats were the women, no distinction being
made Of saloon or steerage There were
six or seven of these and two children
Then came the male passengers, and the
crew last Of all, Captain Murray going IN
the last boat. An We're safely put on boarc
the Spree
All Hands Saved.
The passengers were permitted 10 tal1t
with them such belongings az they could
carry about their persons, other baggage be
ing sacrificed with the cargo. The passen
gers were sixty-eight in number, and thu
crew numbered about eighty Captain vii
lgerod gave Captain Murray accomnoda
tions in his own quarters and the crew Of
the Spree were equally hosptable to theii
fellow seamen, while both cabin and steer
age passengers found sufficient aocommoda
tions the passenger list OF the Spree not BE-
ing large. After the Abyssinia had been
abandoned the fire gained rapid headway
as could be seen from the Spree, and The
vessel must have gone down soon after
The Spree proceeded on her course without
delay.
Spontaneous Combustion the Cause.
The cause Of the FIRE Is unknown, but
Captain Murray expresses the opinion that
it originated spontaneously in the cargo ol
cotton, Of which there was over 1000 bales
destined for Liverpool. The passenger
upon landing were at once taken in charg,
by the agents Of the Guion line and win b,
forwarded without delay to their destinn
ton. A number of them were bound FOL
Norway and Sweden to spend the holidays
the larger number, especially Of the cabii
passengers being bound for Great Britain
and Ireland.
Two Jumped Overheard.
Later advices from southampton shov
that the crew Of the Abyssina did no
behave courageously in the hour Of danger
When the fire was discovered two Of then
rushed to the side OF the vessel In PAM
. and jumped overheard. One Of them wa
Q drowned.
The British steamer Iona, from Sun de
/, land for Baltimore, picked up the dead bod,
] Of one Of the crew Of the Abyssinia, VIII
jumped overheard az the time the Abysslni
was found To be on fire,
KssNr. The Vet Cg,4~