The morning call., 1891-06-15
Exciting Scenes on an Inman
Steamer in Mid-OGean,
4 Cargo Of Burning Cotton in The Hold Of
The City Of Richmond.
Fearful Night Of Suspense Dense Volumes
Of Smoke and a Heavy Gale e-Prepara-
tlOlS 10 Abandon the Ship.
Special to The MORNING CALL

QUEENSTOWN, June II. - The steamer
Servia, which left New York June 9th, ar
rived to-day. Her captain reports that at
midnight on Thursday last he sighted the
Inman line steamer City Of Richmond, from
New York June Sd, bound for this port and
Liverpool. The latter vessel was flying sig
nails of distress, and the Servia bore down
to her to offer assistance. Captain Redford
Of the City of Richmond reported his cargo
on fire, and the Seryia stood by and steamed
slowly by the City of Richmond until Bow
head was sighted. Captain Redford re-
ported that On Tuesday at midnight a
lady cabin passenger, upon getting out Of
her berth, noticed that the floor of her state
room was very hot. She Immediately gave
an 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 1000 bales, was
on fire. In less than three minutes all Of
the passengers including those in the steer
age, were on deck Most of them hurriedIy
left their berths and rushed on deck scant-
ily attired. Large volumes Of water were
poured down upon the burning cotton, but
with small effect, and until the steam fire
aDnihilatOTS were brought into use 10 unll-
mutton OF the fire was visible.
While the captain and engineers were try
ing to get the IRE under control, another
scene presented itself on deck, under the
eyes OF the anxious but we'll behaved
crowd of passengers. Her provisions Of all
sorts were being carried by the stewards to
the ships boats IN view OF q possible neceS-
sity OF abandoning the vessel. Throughout
the whole period q gals was blowing and
the ship rolled heavily. During the dark
hours OF suspense the mass Of passengers
were perfectly calm, most OF them making
preparations 10 leave the ship. Until day
light Wednesday the extent OF the ire was
MT known, 50 dense was the smoke euYel-
OpinE the decks. The sea, too, became SO
heavy that il would have been almost inl-
possible for the passengers and crew to
have put off in the boats, even if such a
course had been deemed necessary. Soon
after daylight, however, the captain was
able to assure the people that there was no
immediate danger; but although the fire had
been checked il remained Sm0ldeTing in
tue mass Of cotton and night break into
flames at any moment 1t was impossible
to discover the extent OF the fire. owing TO
the fact that every aperture in the vicinity
OF the hold had to be closed IN order to pre-
vent the flames from being famed by the
gale.
i I6 6I6WdEUS GQuLluueQ tic preparations
TO abandon the snip and had 20UO pounds OF
beef cooked for the boats. Hopes Of relief
came in the morning, when the vessel
Counsellor was sighted. After an exchange
Of signals she agreed 10 remain alongside
Of the distressed steamer. Through0ut
Wednesday the crew continued TO pour
water and steam upon the burning cotton.
In the evening an attempt was made to
reach the hold or the purpose Of discover
ing. II possible, tue extent Of the
FIRE. Four smOdering bales were taken out
of the hold, when II was found imperative
to shut up everything in order to exclude
the air. All of Thursday the situation con-
tInued much the same. There were ucca-
SI0nal bursts Of dense smoke from tie hold,
but no flames were Ylsibis. There was
heavy sea running all day Toward mid
night the SerYla bore down toward the two
vessels, and agreed TO stay by the City OF
Richmond. Tie latter and the Servia then
went ahead at full speed, leaving the Coun-
sellOr a>teTu.
Friday the fire appeared TO shift from
time 10 time TO different parts Of the
hold, but seemed 10 be lesseDing In inten-
Bty. Saturday no smoke was visible. and
1t was supposed that the fire was out A
number OF the cabin passengers we're forced
70 abandon their rooms IN consequence Of
the fire, and had not changed their clothes
for tour days. The origin OF the fire is sup
posed TO have been sp0nt aneOus combustion.
The scene on deck after the discovery of
the fire was remarkable. Many groups of
women prayed feTvently aud we're crying.
There were l40 barrels Of oil slowed close
10 the burning cotton. Luckily the flames
did not communicate TO the oil. IL is be-
lieved that the ire was completely subdued
before the City of Richmond reached
Queenstown. The vessel has proceeded to
Liverpool and is declared to b. all right.
passenger says: ut was fearful night.
The wind was screeching through the rig
ging and the seas were washing over the
decks. There was but little hope of safety
in case it should become necessary to take
70 the boats, and the suspense was terrible,
but ali bore up.splendidly. The intermediate
and stseTage passengers were comfortably
installed in the salon, away from the smoke
and fumes coming from the burning cotton.