New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-15
CITY OF RlCHMOND'S PERIL.
HER CARGO ON FIRE FOR DAYS.
A NIGHT OF TERRIBLE SUSPENSE FOR
OCEAN TRAVELLERS
BOATS PRovIsIoNED AND PREPARATIONS
MADE TO ABANDON THE STEAMER IN A
DANGEROUS GALE-CoNYoYED BY
OTHER STEAMERS UNTIL THE
FLAMES WERE sUBDUED.
FLAMES WERE sUBDUED.


OTHER STEAMERS UNTIL THE
FLAMES WERE sUBDUED.
Queenstown, June 14-The Cunard Line steamer
Servia, Captain Dutton, which left New-York
June 8, arrived here to-day The captain reports
that at midnight Of Thursday last he sighted the
lnman Line steamer City of Richmond, Captain
Redford, from New-York, June 3, bound for this
port and Liverpool. The latter vessel
was flying signals of distress and the Servia
bore down TO her TO offer assistance
The captain of the City of Richmond reported that
his cargo was on fire and that 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, woman, cabin passenger, upon get
ting out of her BERTH noticed that the floor of
the stateroom was hot. She Immediately gave the
alarm to the engineers, who communicated with
the captain. and an examination was quickly made.
This resulted in the discovery that smoke was
issuing from the fOrehold and the smell lndl-
Gated that the cotton IN the mold was
on fire. Steam and water were promptly in
jected into the hold. and it was supposed for
a time that the fire had been extinguished.
At o'clock on Wednesday morning, however
three bales of cotton were found to be on fire, and
In the meantime the British steamer Counsellor,
Captain Jones, of the Harrison Line, bound from
New-Orleans for Liverpool had appeared on the
scene and, on learning the condition Of affairs,
stood by the City of Richmond until the Servia
came up.
It is believed that the fire completely sub
dued before the City of Richmond reached Queens
town. The vessel proceeded for Liverpool and ap-
pearcd TO be all right.
The City of Richmond carried 1000 bales Of
cotton. The woman who gave the alarm, upon
awakening, found her stateroom filed with smoke
and at once aroused the occupants Of the adIoin-
ing staterooms. In less than three minutes all
the passengers including those in the steerage,
were on deck. Most of them hurredly left their
herths and rushed on deck attrei in little except
their sleeping garments. Strenuous efforts were
instantly made by the crew to reach the fire.
Upon opening the hatchway adjoining the spot
from which smoke was issuing it was asccrtained
that a portion of the cotton was on fire.
Large volumes Of water were poured down upon
the burning mass, but with small effect. Until
the steam fire annihilators were used no dminu-
ton of the fire visible.
While the captain and engineers were trying
to get the fire under control, another scene pre-
sented itself on deck under the eyes Of the anxious
brt wcll-behaved crowd Of passengers. Here
provisions Of all sorts were being carried by the
stewards to the ships boats, jim view of the posi-
be necessity of abandoning the vessel In this
work many of the male passengers assisted
Throughout the period of alarm a gale was
blowing and the ship rolled heavily During the
lark hours of suspense the mass OF the passengers
were perfecty calm most of them making prcpara-
tions to leave the ship. Until daylight on
Wednesday the extent of the fire was not known,
SO dense was the smoke envcloping the decks.
The SEQ, too, became 50 heavy that it would have
been almost impossible for the passengers and
crew to put of in the boats If such course
had been deemed necessary Soon after daylight,
however, the captain able TO assure the people
that there was no immdiate danger. But, al
though the fire had been checked, it remained
smouldcring in the mass of cotton. and might
break into flames at ayJ moment 1t was lmPos-
sible to discover the extent of the fire, owing
TO the fact chat every aperture in the Ncnlty
of the hold had u be closed in order TO prevent
the flames being famed by the gale. The stew
ards continued their preparations to ABANDON the
ship and had 1900 pounds Of beef cooked Tor thc
boats. Other stores were also made ready ana
moved away from the vicinity of the fire.
HOPES OF relief came at O'Clock III
the morning when a sail was sighted ahead,
cts fired. but for two hours no response was
elected Then tie steamer ahead was seen to slow
up and 20 at half-spced, evidently with the IN
tention Of waiting for the City of Richmond. This
vessel was tie Counsellor, and after am inter
change Of signals. she agreed to remain alongside
fine distressed steamer. The extreme danger OF
the situation was thus averted, and vSipIe re-
lief was written on the faces OF all on ooar.
4 sad incident occurred at the moment the
Counsellor came alongside the City OF Rchmond,
the captain of the foTmcr steamer suddenly ial.
ing dead on the deck of his vessel Inc chiel
officer Of the Counsellor, upon the death OF ms
superior officer, took command OF the ship ana
continued 70 communicate with the City oil hch-
mond ,...o.
vessel continued 10 pour water and steam upon
the burning cotton. In the evcLlng an attempt
was made TO reach the hold for the purpose OF
discovering if possible the extent OF the 'Te, ire
hold when il was found imperative 70 shut up
everything in order to exclude the air; ..,.
Al Of Thursday the situation cphimqTu tuC1 ~
dense smoke from the Hold, but no names were
visible There was heavy sea running al doy.
During the day the North German ioyd sr S,eaIr no
fain apparently felt that the position of the City
of Richmond was secure with the Counsellor as
convoy and that il was unnecessary 10r MIN 70
stop and offer further assistance.
Toward midnight the Serya bore down toward
the two vessels and agreed 20 stay by the Slty Oh
ahead az full speed, leaving the Counsellor
astCrn. -. oo, >.
on Friday the fire in the cotton appeared 20
sniff from lime 20 time 70 different paris OF the
bold hut seemed to be les6cning in intensity. In
thc afternoon of that day the Innan line steamer
City Of Paris was sighted, and shortly oftsrward
W'bcn nnar tho latter vessel the captain Of the
City of Paris put OFF in boat
and boarded the Servia, where he was Joined
Inv the captain of he City of Richmond.
The three captains then held conference, and 1t
was agreed that the City of Paris should proceed
ON her way to New-YOrll, and that the Servh
should remain in company with the NltV oil hlch-
mOnd. ,r, , g.. -
On Saturday no smoke was visible, and it was
snppo ed the fire was ont.
4 number Of cabin passengers were forced 70
abandon their ca bins in consequence Of the fire. and
had not changed their clothes for the last four
davs Many were compelled to get what sleep
thcv could reclining in steamer chairs. The origin
Of The fire is supposed 10 have been Spontaneous
combustion. The Kendall theatrical company and