The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-29
HER STEEL DECK.
1t Saved the Cedarbank
From Destruction.
The Fire in Her Hold Extinguished by
the Tugs-No Injury to
the Hull.

Shortly after midnight on Thursday the
tugs Fearless and Vigilant. which had
towed the British ship Cedarbank to The
flats above the sugar refinery, began pump
ing water into her. and at 80 o'clock YES
terday afternoon her hold was flooded to
the depth of nineteen feet, completely
submerging that part of her cargo which
had been on fire. When the pumping be-
gan steam in great volumes rolled from
the main hatch, and so hot was it that no
one could stand neal.
At 2:30 O'Clock the tugs began pumping
her out. aud reduced the water at the ra te
OF three inches An hour. She will be dry
about noon to-day.
1t Is believed tnat the ship has sustained
but small damage. as the fire did not reach
her plates. or course, the cargo is badly
damaged, and the chances are that half
the coal is a total loss, and mucb of the
remainder rendered understandable.
The suspense to the officers and crew on
the last day nf the voyage was fearful
Their only hope was ''leg bail" and with
fair winds, every inch of canvas was
stretched. They knew if the fire cOuld be
kept under control twenty.f,ur hours
longer they must reach port or assistance
near the harb0r entrance. Toward night
fall on Wednesday the fire waxed per
ceptibly hotter, and it was questionable
whether they would be able to keep her
from bursting into flames before daylight.
Between 80 and $50 o'clock Thursday
morning. SIX explosions of gas occurred at
the mizzen hatch. and the flames leaped
out, but the crew, never for moment
losing heart, put the matches back each
time. The greatest danger was TINT the
m ZEen sails would take fire and that the
flames would involve the entire ship abaft
the mizzen hatch. After daylight, on the
day of Ter rescue there were no explosions.
About 6 o'clock in the morning she
sighted Point Reyes on the port bow and
altered her course for the FaralIones. the
weather thick and haZy. She made the
Farallones about 10: 80 O'Clock and shaned
her course for Point Bonita. About noon
the Vigilant came alongside and all danger.
of least to life, was over. Like all long
iron ships OF modern construction, the
Cedarbank has complete steel deck and
to this may be credited that her officers
and men are alive to tell the story. No
wooden deck above could have withstood
the intense heat.
When the Vigilant reached the Cedar.
bank all her matches were we'll battenp ed
down, and there was not the least appear
ance OF fire. Nor did her master seize a
trumpet and shout to the world the story
of the danger through which he had
passed. Not much. He pretended that il
was his purpose to sail in. but he allowed
himself 10 be coaxed into taking a tow for
which he agreed to pay $40. Ii his owners
do not make him present Of months
salary they will show small appreciation
OF his nerve.
While landing at the foot of Wash iugton
street yesterday morning the steamer j
D. Peters ran into the steamer. Lorenzo
moored there. and smashed the latter's
wheel damage abont $50.
The bark Albert will sail tomorrow for
Honolulu in command of Captain Griffith.
vice Captain Winding. who died recantly.
The steamer Lagunai is In tho Merchants
Drydock for general repairs.