The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-10
PENNED IN.
PaSSengerSROaSt-
ed to Death.
Escape From Their Quar-
terS Cut Off by Fire.
Shocking Loss of Life on the
Steamer Leona.
Blaze Broke Out in the HOld and 13
Passengers perished.
Vessel Was on the Delaware Capes
and Put Back TO New York.
Shocking Loss of Life on the
Steamer Leona.
Blaze Broke Out in the dOld and 13
Passengers perished.
Vessel Was on the Delaware Capes
and Put Back to New York.

New York. May 10-The Mallory line
steamer Leona. which left her pier on
Saturday, bound for Galveston, put
back, and arrived in port with 16 corpses
On board. The dead we're 13 steerage
passengers and three of the crew on the
steamer, who succumbed in a terrible
struggle during a fire which occurred
OF the the Delaware capes at an early
hour yesterday morning The horror
OF the story can hardly be told. Those
who are dead were penned up below
deck, and although frantic efforts were
made by the officers of the vessel to save
them the fire had such terrific headway
before the danger was discovered that
all escape was cut off. The steamer
carried amongst her cargo many bales
of cotton. The fire started I'm some
jute bagging in the forward hoa and
when IL was discovered the flames burst
forward with such fury that IL was inn
possible TO reach the steerage. Even
then the steerage passengers, apparent
ly. were unmindful OF the danger. or
else the smoke and flames had not
reached them. The saloon passengers
were first aroused, and in such man
ner as 10 occasion little alarm. When
ii became apparent that the fire had
cut off the steerage passengers, the cap
tam and his men poured great guam
titles of water down the ventilator. and
the most frantic efforts were made for
the escape of those perned up. In this
way eight of the steeragel passengers
made their escape.
The dead are;
Steerage passengers-Bridget Sui
nvan II. Catain, Mrs, e.. Guzza, Miss
Guzza, Miss Hannah eplomanson, Mrs
Valcicks. Miss Valcicks, Sophie
Schwartz Marie wades. two unknown
children, two unidentified.
The crew-Alfred Hardy, waiter. Al
years old, New York; Alfred Lang,
waiter, 10 years old. New York II. II.
Hartman, butcher. q years old, New
York.
Captain Wilder was In command, with
First Mate Walker and Second Mate
Sweeny assisting. The; chief engineer
was Taylor, with three assistants, and
n crew of about 75 men, including fire.
men and deck hands.
A Passengers story.
Among the passengers were S. V.
Winslow of Rutherford. y. j. Mr.
Winslow tells the following graphic
story of the fire;
First Mate Wallace was pacing the
bridge about a. m. when he thought
he smelled smoke coming from the froe-
castle. He went down the forward
companionway and opened the door TO
the steerage. The moment he did this
there was a burst of fame, which burned
his face.
Wallace turned and ran on deck and
cried the alarm OF fire to the forward
watch, telling him TO awaken the steward
and have all the passengers aroused as
quickly as possible without creating any
excitement The steward did this in
careful manner. going 10 each stateroom
and waking the occupants.
He said In calm tones that there was
a slight fire In the forward part Of the
chip and it might be advisable for the
passengers to get their things together.
1t might be possible he added. that the
chip would have 10 be abandoned.
There was no excitement among the
saloon passengers. Most OF them packed
their luggage and carried II from their
staterooms into the main saloon. They
gathered in the saloon and remained
there and after the officers had assured
them that there was no immediate dan
ger they took matters quietly.
1.-THE steward made frequent trips for
ward and came back with reports Of the
progress OF the flames. He said that
the fire was confined below decks. and
as the flames did not rise very high the
passengers did not fully realize the ex-
tent OF their peril.
Captain Wilder rushed on deck at the
erqt alarm clad only I'm nm uUdprshirt
and trousers. He assumed command.
and al, once ordered the crew TO rescue
the stcerage passengers. on the same
deck with the stcerage. on the port side
OF the ship. large quantity OF cotton
bagging was stored. separated from the
steerage passengers by board parti-
ton.
THE main deck was almost com.