The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-03-08
FACED DEATH.
Sailors Fought Fire Over A
Powder Magazine.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE OF THE
U. s. TRANSPORT FERN.

Within a Few Feet of the Fire Was Slowed
Pieces But, Not Man FIinched-The
Flames Finally Subdued.
Boston, Mach THE United.States trans
port Fem, Lieutenant Commander George
A. Bicknell. commanding. arrived at the
navy yard late yesterday afternoon from
the League Island navy yard. touching at
Newport en- route.
The Fern had very eventful passage
from Philadelphia. and her officers and
crew feel fortunate that they ever reached
Boston.
The transport is lying at the wharf at the
navy yard, and it will proba bly, be several
weeks before she will be able to proceed to
sea again.
About ten o'clock Tuesday, when a little
to the southwark of Highland light, off
Cape Cod. fire broke out in the ca bin, ana
in few minutes the captains entire
quarters were enveloped in flames. The
alarm was given, the timbreI was changed,
the boatswain's shrill whistle piped all
hand tobfre quarters. the ships bell was
tolled. and sleeping men bundled out of
their hammocks and all was excitement on
board ship for the time being. There was
no confusion, however, for every man knew
his station. and i'll few moments a sys-
tematic battle with the fire wae COM
menced.
The fire increased in volume for there was
stiff breeze blowing at the time, winch
was augmented 0y the vessels Roadway
and it looked as il the ship was doomed
Desperate cases require desperate remedies,
and the men worked like beavers to subdue
the flames.
FIN the magazine, almost directly below
the.ca bin. there was stored four hundred
pounds of smokeless powder. which is more
potent than ordinary gunpowder, and there
were some fears that the fire would reach it
and thereby seal he doom of all ON board.
SO the men battled the flames like Trojans,
and after while the dreaded explosive was
removed to safer place forward.
The heavy seas running during the pro-
gre SIS of the fire made work difficult, but
the well-trained men clearly demonstrate ted
he valle OF disciplinary training, and
won a glorious fight.
The engagement lasted several hours and
al tho end many of the brave fire lighters
were found to be scorehed somewhat. A
little sweet oil and absorbent cotton, how
ever. was all that was necessary to relieve
their wounds.
During tie progress of the fire tile navjgat-
ing officer was not idle. With steady nerves
while he phantom of horrible death
stared him in the face--he directed the
vessel upon her course. A heaven of safety
should be cached at once, TO preclude the
possibility of being swallowed up in the
| angry sea or being devoured by the flames,
and so he headed the Fern for the harbor of
Provincetown.
While all was excitement below, and from
time to time the fire would fash above the
deck with threatening and kissing tongues,
the man at the W heel stood by his Lost and
never for an instant lost his course.
It was trying position but the men of
the United States navy are not frail, and
''duty" was tho magic word which governed
the spirit of the helmsman. When Province
town was reached the flames were under
control and in a short time were entirely
extinguished. The cabin was entirely
gutted, and the damage will probably ex-
| ceed $1,000.