The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-01
ON BURNING DECKS.
How the Honresfeld's Crew
Was Saved.
DETAILS OF THE DISASTER.
The Welcome Stronsa Hove in Sight
Just in Time to Save the
Terrified Crew.

The tug Fearless. which was deputed to
find the derelct Honresfeld, was unsuc-
cessful in finding the object of her search,
for the one good reason that the Honres-
field was burned and probably sunk on
December 20 last in latitude s deg. 81 min.
north and longitude 116 deg % min. west,
oil the coast of South America.
Details of the loss Of the vessel and the
rescue of the crew have reached here in
private advices from South America.
While Captain Brooks of the British ship
Stronsa, which left here on December 8 Tor
Cork, was proceeding On his voyage in the
latitude named lie sighted burning ship
bearing northwest about five miles from his
vessel.
Shortly after this discovery it was found
that the strange ship was flying flag of
distress. The Stronsa was hove to, and
bore down on the bur ming vessel.
About 2:30 o'clock the first boat from the
HOnTesfed reached the Stronsas side. a
few moments later other boats were along
side, the last one being commanded by Cap
tain James Shaw. In all, thirty-three men
from the Honresfeld boarded the StrGnsa.
The flames broke ont in the hold of the
Honresfeld on the 18th, and increased with
unabnted fury up to tue time that the
Stronsa was sighted.
The crew seem to have lost their heads,
and rushed wildly about the decks like
Gagged beasts.
Captain Shaw gave orders on the 10Th to
clear away the boats and prepare TO leave
the ship, as the decks were getting so hot
that ii was almost impossible 10 walk upon
Them, and every moment 1t was expected
that the ship would blow up or go to the
bottom.
1t was decided 10 hold out if possible till
the next day, and the night of the 10Th,
which was spent on board, was literally one
Of agony.
Early in the morning an explosion oc-
Cured abaft the main hatch, blowing the
hRtchway out and releasing strong gas
which nearly smOthered the crew. The
flames leaped from their confinement, lick
ing the iron yards and mast and setting
ire to the rigging. In addition TO the heat
below masses of sparks fell like hail upon
the decks aud burned into the clothing Of
the terrified seaman.
Two more explosions followed, tearing
the forward decking up and giving greater
scope to the sea of fire beneath. No power
on earth could save the ship then.
The crew were driven aft by the heat and
made preparations to lower the three re-
naming boats and stock them with pro-
visions.
Very little food had been saved, and if
the Stronsa had not sighted the disabled
ship the provisions would not have lasted
NO OV"to NtSNS hNAo tAah 4Oit9 -Si5hS
hours.
AL Of the mems clothing. with the ex-
ceptOn of what they had on their backs,
was destroyed by the first explosion, which
tore away part of the forward deckhOuse
and set the debris on fire. No more lily
prepared creatures than the Hornesteld's
crew ever nerved themselves to face the
elements in open boats.
When the Stronsa was sighted the men
went wild with joy and Captain Shaw
could scarcely restrain them from jumping
into the sea and attempting TO swim to their
rescuer. The Str0nsa's beam was put
about. Eer sails tapped in the breeze and
with swing she came about and bore
down on the burning vessel.
A wild shout OF JOY rang out from amid
the smoke and flame, and drifted across TO
the ears Of the men of the Stronsa.
Impatient hands grasped the tackle and
quickly lowered the boats.
r. In twenty minutes from the time the
Stronsa was sighted the crew had all de-
serted the floating Hades.
Captain Brooks changed his course 1900
miles to land the unfortunate men at Val
paralso. The StrOnsa was ffty-three DAYS
In making the trip, and the addition to her
crew made heavy lnrOads on her supply Of
provisions. Toward the latter part of the
voyage all hands were put on short rations
The H0nresfeld's men were placed under
the care OF the British Consul at Valparaiso,
and number of them are en- route to this
city.
Too much praise cannot be accorded Cap
tain Brooks for his gallant and unselfsh
conduct, and he is deserving of the eneomi-
ums OF seaiariEE men Of all nations.