The evening world., 1893-10-27

Kaempfr decided to stop the engines so
that the drnught that was evidently
supplied through that part of the snip
could also be shut out
Through various crevices the smoke
continued to rise from the hold. capt
Kaempff then ordered the deck To De
flooded. This was done. the passengers
climbing to the upper deck and to the
forecastle.
An effort was then made to food ont
the fire by cutting holes through the
deck into the storage through which II
rass liner of hose. Smoke came throuEN
the holes so thick and fast, however
that the plan had to be abanlon"i, as
it was apparent that the drhi%hi Gre
ated by the openings was likely To- de-
yelop the fire into one of uncontrJilabIr
proportions.
An attempt to descend from the over
deck to the fire by way OF the nam
hatch was also given up on the sam"
account Then all openings were c'"S'I
to await daylight. when daylight cam"
several other attempts to enter IN"
steerage were made, but without sue
cess.
1t was then discovered that the fire
was eating its way forward. This was
demonstrated by the greatly increased
temperature of the saloon.
Carpets were hurriedly taken up,
some Of the passengers assisting the
crew In the work
These carpets were soaked with sea
water and laid along the deck to help
smother the fire. The smoke In III"
mean time began to find It's way up
through the deck seams.
No ship had yet been sighted anywhere
along the horizon, and 80 no signals of
distress were set.
A pickup meal had been prepared
by the steward, but the passengers were
90 much worried and wrought up that
only few of them partook of tn" meal
Those who did ate sparlngly, without
appetite and apparently only to fortIfy
themselves for still more startling cN
perlences, which they expected.
The search for the fire and for means
to reach It was kept mp without inter
mission through the day. oct. 23, capt.
Kaempff personally superintendng the
work.
During the afternoon one of the Of
ficers discovered that the steel plates
along the starboard side of the sh.p
were becoming hot, and he 50 reported
to Capt. Kaempff.
This news made the bearded old vet
eran of the line-whosc reputation for
carefulness and good management, as
we'll as good fortune, Is International
look serious. What II the plates should
become sufficiently heated to expand?
In that case the rlvets would he
drawn and seams opened in the Side
that might allow the sea to rush in and
sink the ship.
The fire brigade was Immediately di-
vided up into gangs. to one of which
was intrusted the duty Of keeping these
steel plates cool at any hazard. This was
done by hoistins water from the sea to
the deck and then letting 1t flow down
the side over the plates
In this way the passengers. alternate
ly assisting the c"ev' and watching for
a sign of a passing steamer. spent that
day and night.
Tuesday morning early, Capt. Kaempf
came to the conclusion thai heroic
measures must be taken at once, the
fire having given no indication Of dying
out from lack OF draught.
He, called the crew together. AMI un-
der his instructions the main hatch was
torn of and streams of water turned
into the hold.
At great risk OF suffocation. urged on
by their sturdy old commander. the sail
ors. working In short shifts. dropped
into the hold and battled with the flames
with great energy.
Smoke-begrmmed men craNled out of
the hold from time to time during the
day, and as they did others took their
places.
BY nightfall the flames Were under
control. and feelings of relief succeeded
those of grave apprehension.
Worn out with anxiety and watching,
cabin and steerage passengers disposed
themselves about the deck for sleep.
Very few OF the cabin passengers went
to their staterooms that night
Early next morning. Wednesday. Oct
Is, Capt. Kaempff set n gang of men at
work hoisting from the hold that part
Some of the goods were still burning
All the burning and all the remnants
Of that part of the cargo which ha,
been on fire were cast into the sea.
The fire, 1t was then discovered, har
broken out in the after hold amoni
some bales OF bed feathers on the star
board side. 1t had sperad aft and de
stroyed a number of boxes of starch
rubber. beer in barrels. millet in bales
boxes of music and a lot of toys.
The fire had its origin. It is supposed
In spontaneous combustion.
The remainder Of the VOYAGE wa,
without adventure.