The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-06-17
FLAMES IN MID OCEAN.
The Cargo Of an Inman
Liner Found Burning.
All Preparations Made to
Abandon the Ship.
Passengers Well Behaved Dur
ing the Danger.
A Long Island Elopement
Nipped in the Bud.
The WiIIful Young Maiden Is Tempo
rariIy Chained Up.

QUEENSTOWN, June 14.-Ihe Cunard line
steamer Servia, Capt. Dutton, which left
New York June 6, arrived here today.
The captain reports that at midnight of
Thursday last he sighted the Inman line
steamer City of Richmond from New York
bound for this port and Liverpool. The
latter vessel was flying signals of distress
and the Servla bore down to her to offer
assistance.
The captain OF the City OF Richmond re-
ported that his cargo WAS on fire and the
Servia stood by and steamed slowly by the
sido of the City of Richmond until Brow
Head was sighted. Capt Redford re-
ported that on Tuesday at midnight
a lady cabin passenger, upon get
ting out of her berth, noticed that
the floor OF the state room was very
hot. She Immediately gave the alarm to
the engineers, who communicated with
the captain, and an examination was
quickly made. This resulted in the dis
coverv that smoke was issuing from the
fore hold, and the smell indicated that
the cotton in the hold was on fire. The
vessel carried 1000 bales Of cotton.
The lady who gave the alarm, upon
awaking, found her state-room filled with
smoke, and at once aroused the occupants
OF the adjoining state-room. In less than
three minutes all the passengers, includ-
ing those in the steerage were on deck
attirsd in little but their sleeping gar
ments.
Strenuout efforts were made by the
crew to reach the fire. Upon opening the
hatch way adjoining the spot from which
smoke was issuing It was ascertained that
a portion OF cotton was on fire. Large
volumes of water were poured upon the
burning mass, but with small effect, until
the steam fire annihilators were used, no
diminution OF the lire was visible.
While the captain and engineers were
trying to get the fire under control another
scene presented itself on deck under the
eyes OF the anxious, but we'll behaved
crowd OF passengers. Here provisions of
all sorts were being carried by the
stewards TO the ship boats. in view of the
possible necessity of abandoning the ves-
sci. In this way many OF the passengers
assisted.
Throughout the period Of alarm gale
was blowing and the ship rocked heavily.
During the dark hours OF suspense the
mass OF the passengers were perfectly
calm, most of them making preparations
to leave the ship.
Soon after daylight Wednesday the cap
tain was able to assure the people that
there was no immediate danger. But, al
.I Il G. L. obaoI-aI -
mained smouldering in the mass of cotton
and might break into flames at any mo-
ment. 1t was impossible to discover the
extent of the fire, owing to the fact that
every aperture in the vicinity of the hold
had been closed in order to prevent the
flames being famed by the gale.
The stewards continued preparati ons to
abandon the ship and had 1000 pounds of
beef cooked for the boats. Other stores
were also made ready and moved away
from the vicinity OF the fire.
Signals of distress were quickly hoisted
and rockets fired. but for two hours no re-
sponse was elected. Then the steamer
ahead was seen TO slow mp and 90 at half
speed. evidently with the intention of
waiting for the City of Richmond.
This vessel was the Counsellor
and after an interchange of sig
nails she agreed to remain alongside
the distressed steamer. A sad incident
occurred at the moment the Counsellor
came alongside the City of Richmond, the
captain of the former steamer suddenly
fell dead on the deck OF his vessel. The
chief officer of the Counsellor upon the
death of his superior officer took COM
mand of the ship and continued to COM
municate with the City OF Richmond.
Throughout Wednesday the latter YES
sci continued to pour water and steam up
on the burning cotton. -Four smoldering
bales were taken out Of the hold, when it
was found imperative to shut up every
thing in order to exclude the air.
Toward midnight Thursday 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 in the cotton
appeared to shift from time 10 time
to different parts of the hold,
but seemed to be lessening in intensi-
tv. In the afternoon of Friday the Inman
steamer City of Paris, bore down toward
the CITY of Richmond and Servia. 1t was
agreed that the City of Paris should pro-
ceed on her way to New York and that the
Seryia should remain in company with
the CITY of Richmond. On Saturday no
smoke was visible andit was supposed the
fire was out.
II is believed the fire was completely
subdued before the City OF Richmond
reached Queenstown. The vessel pro-
ceeded for Liverpool and appeared to be
all right.