The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-10

pletely filed with freight, cutting OFT all
exit from the steerage TO the after part
OF the ship. The only way out from the
steerage was up the forward compan-
ionway.
"The crew on the captains orders
rushed for the companionway and at
tempted TO descend. They were driven
back by dense volumes OF smoke and
flames. The smoke and flames also came
up through the ventllators. and II was
apparent TO all who were on deck that
below decks was n roaring furnace.
"Then IL dawned on the officers and
crew that the unfortunates In the steer
age were probably burning 10 death.
Captain Wilder saw his crew driven back
from the companionway. and the realiza-
ton of the horror below made him des-
perate.
Captain wiider's Bravery.
"Iie rushed 10 the stairs and boldly
attempted TO go below. He did not get
down more than half dozen steps when
the increasing clouds OF smoke and the
flames shooting up around him drove
him back on deck. lie stepped back TO
the shelter OF the pilot house. His face
was scorched. His eyebrows were
burned away. He stood there dazed and
overcome for moment. Then he ex-
claimed: My God. no man can go
through that and come out alive
When the steward aroused me
Jumped up hastily and dressed. I ran
forward 20 see how extensive the fire
was The captain was just coming out
OF the companionway after his fruitless
effort TO go below. / stood by and tried
10 look down the hold. but the heat and
smoke we're so great that / was driven
back.
when looked down into that horrible
hole the thought came over me like IL
had over the captain and crew that ther
were helpless people below who were
probably burning 10 death.
Il tried TO peer through the smoke TO
see If the steerage passengers were run
ming around below, and hoped that we
would be able to reach them I'm some
way.
Roar OF Flames Drowned Every Sound.
II listened for sounds, but could hear
nothing save the roar OF the flames as
they grew steadily in volume below, and
rolled round and round in the narrow
quarters. There was not a scream. not
shrek, no signs OF life below.
ION deck there was only the hoarse
shouts of the captain and the hurry and
hustle Of the crew as they rushed about
laying lines OF hose and pouring stream.
OF water down the companionway and
through the open ventilators.
only a slight wind was blowing from
the southwark, that carried the volumes
OF smoke aft over the full length of the
ship and enveloped her in shroud of
shocking black. until the captain gave
orders to change the course completely,
so that the smoke would be blown over
the bow. The speed OF the ship was first
slackened. then the order was given 20
keep up bare steerage way.
Distress signals Burned.
Captain Wilder ordered signal lights
Of distress burned. Along the rail on
the port side men were stationed TO burn
the signal lights. 1t was near O'Clock
in the morning. The men touched of
the lights and there flashed out in sput.
tering flames the alternate red and
green. that could be seen far across the
sea and would tell any ship within the
range that help was wanted.
THE flames forward had broken
through the deck and shot upward in
-
colored signals, but they did not tel
the same story Of distress.
I'm very few minutes there flashed
ur In the darkness, far 10 the north. an
answering signal. In a little while We
could see her side lights and then the
day began to break, and when the sun
was just rising this welcome savior hove
to by us and we saw that she was the
City OF Augusta of the Savannah line.
Just as soon as the signals OF dis.
tress had been answered all the crew
were sent back To their posts TO fight the
fire. that was gaining steadily all the
time and working it's way further and
further aft.
Forward Deck Burned Away.
"The deck. ell forward of the pilot
house. was burned away, leaving the
iron crossbeams bare and red hot. The
heavy anchors dropped down below,
their fastenings twisted and broken.
The iron plating of the ships side
glowed red hot.
The passengers were all transferred
to the City of Augusta in safety, and the
work OF fighting the fire was continued
About . o'clock in the morning the
flames were under control and the
steamer out of danger. The passengers
were sent back to the Leona and the
City OF Augusta continued on her way
20 Savannah. The Leona put about
cnd returned TO port under her own