The record-union., 1891-06-15
MOMENTS OF AWFUL SUSPENSE.
The Cargo of an Inman Passenger
Steamer On Fire at Sea.

The Cargo of an Inman Passenger
Steamer On Fire at Sea.
QUEENSTOWN, June 14.-The steamer
Servia, which left New York on June 9Th,
arrived to-day. The Captain reports that
at midnight on 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
assistance. Captain Redford of the City
of Richmond reported that his cargo was
'on fire, and the Servia steamed slowly
by the side of the City of Richmond
| until Browhead was sighted.
Captain Redford reported that on Tues
tday at midnight lady cabin passenger.
fupon getting out of her berth, noticed
that the floor Of her state-room was very
hot. She Immediately gave the alarm,
and an examination was quickly made
This resulted in the discovery of smoke
issuing 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 burn
ing cotton, but with small effect, and
until the steam fire annihilators were
used no dimunition of the fire was
visible.
While the Captain and engineers were
trying to get the fire under control an
other scene presented itself on the deck
under the eyes of the anxious but we'll
behaved crowd of passengers. Pro-
visions OF all sorts were being carried by
the steward 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
mass of passengers were perfectly calm,
most CT them making preparations to
leave the ship. Until daylight Wednes-
day the extent of the fire was not known,
so dense was the smoke enveloping the
decks. The sea, too, became so heavy
that it would have been almost impos-
s1ble for the passengers and crew to put
off in the boats, if such course had been
deemed necessary. Soon after daylight,
however, Captain Able assured the peo-
pie that there was no immediate danger.
But, although the fire had been
checked, 1t remained smoldering in
mass of cotton, and might break into
flames at any moment. 1t was impossi-
BILE to discover the extent of the fire, ow-
ing to the fact that every aperture in the
order to prevent the flames being famed
by the gale.
The stewards continued preparations to
abandon the ship, and had 1000 pounds
of beef cooked for the boats. Their hopes
of relief came in the morning, when the
vessel Counsellor was sighted. After an
interchange of signals she agreed to re-
main alongside the distressed steamer
Throughout Wednesday the crew con-
tlnued to pour water and steam upon the
burning cotton. In the evening an at
tempt was made to reach the hold for the
purpose of discovering, if possible, the
extent ofthe fire. Four smoldering bales
were taken out of the hold, when it was
found imperative TO shut up everything
in order to exclude air.
All of Thursday the situation con-
tinued much the same. There were occa-
s1onal 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 it seemed to be lessening in
intensity. Saturday no smoke was
visible, and it was supposed the fire was
out.
A number of the cabin passengers
were forced to abandon their cabins in
consequence of the fire, and had not
changed their clothes in four days. The
origin of the fire is supposed to have
been spontaneous combustion.
The scene on the deck after the dis
covery of the fire was remarkable. Many
groups of women prayed fervently and |
cried. There were 40 barrels of oil |
slowed close to the burning cotton. |
Luckily the flames did not communicate |
to the oil. 1t is believed that 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 screeching through the |
rigging and seas washing over the decks. |
There was little hope of safety in case it
should become necessary to take to the |
boats. The suspense was terrible, but all /
bore up splendidly. The Intermediate
and steerage passengers were comforta-
bly, installed in the saloon away from |
smoke and fumes coming from the burn
ing cotton"