The Republican journal., 1897-07-15
Left Ship Ablaze.
Grew of the Belle Of Bath Driven from the
Craft BY the Rapid Spread Of Flames

crew OF the Belle Of Bath Driven from the
Graft BY the Rapid Spread Of Flames.
A few charred timbers floating some
where on the broad Atlantic are all that
is left of the full rugged ship Belle of Bath.
Her crew, after toisome days and nights
at the pumps, were driven from the vessel
by burst OF flame, to spend weary hours
IN open boats under a West Indian sun
before making hospitable shore.
The Belle of Bath set sail from this port
on June on voyage to Hong Kong.
Captain G. G. Curtis was her master.
William Cox first mate, George Harris
second mate, and there were fourteen fore
mast hands, besides carpenter, cook and
teward.
Filling the lower hold and between
decks, piled high to the deck beams, was
he cargo of fifty thousand cases of oil,
consigned by the Standard Oil Company
to it's agents in China.
Outside the Hook fair breeze was
met, and with every stitch of canvas
spread the course was laid southeast for
the trades. Bowling along over the long
swell, with every sail drawing, the ship
was holding her course, five days out,
when, on the dog watch, the pump showed
water in the hold. Measurements told that
twenty six inches of ocean brine was wash
ing among the cargo.
KIGGED ANOTHER PUMP
Only one pump at the main well was
rugged at this time. Six men put forth
might and main at it, but still the water
gushed upon the deck. At length all
hands were called up, a second pump was
rugged and the entire crew labored to free
the ship from its unwelcome freight. Their
efforts tp11 Tho oft
minutes labor, sucked only air, and the
tired starboard watch was sent below.
Then followed eleven days and nights
at the pumps, watch and watch, six men
at time, the full complement of. the
watch save for the man at the wheel
Captain Curtis at the first sign of the
obstinacy with which the inrushing water
did battle with his crew had altered his
course, with the intention of making the
Barbados. At the same time the ships
boats, long boat and two lifeboats were
made ready for emergency.
The wind continued fair, and the ship
was running free on June IS, when it was
discovered that the water was gaining in
the hold 1t was all hands to the pumps
then until three O. clock in the afternoon,
when Mr.. Harris ordered the port watch
to take short rest.
Two seamen, Peter Cain and Daniel
Gysen, went forward ahead of the others
and saw thin lines of smoke rising from
the deck of the forecastle head just aft of
the bowsprit They hastened aft, calling
to Mr.. Harris as they sped toward him.
A hurried word sent the second mate
rushing forward to see even now dense
puffs of black smoke forcing their way
from the fore peak.
He shouted to the captain that the ship
was on fire.
RUSH OF THE FIRE.
Quick as was the captain to reach the
spot where smoke had been discovered,
quicker was the progress of the flames.
Thick, black clouds rolled upon him from
the fore peak, driving him back with the
instant realization that not second was
to be lost in fleeing from the oil laden
craft.
Into the water dropped the three small
boats, and into them, stopping only to
snatch up few personal articles that
came first to hand ttlmbled the sailors.
Captain Curtis was the last to leave the
ship, clambering over the side with some
instruments he had seized from his cabin.
Captain Curtis looked at his watch. 1t
was four o'clock. He sang out to the
other boats that they We're $50 miles east
of Barbados and said he would make sail
for that point, ordering the others to keep
close to him. Sail was set on each frail
craft and they sped westward, dropping
the ship till only black pail Of smoke
told where she was still blazing
THEY SIGHTED LAND.
They sailed safely through the night
and at two o'clock the next afternoon, Sat
urday, they sighted land, but it was not
until eight O'Clock on Sunday morning
that they entered Barbados. There Mr..
Tate, United States Consul, cared for the
i'll fated mariners until last Saturday,
when he sent all, except Captain Curtis,
to this port on the steamer Sandman
Prince, of the Prince line, and they arrlv-
ed here yesterday morning, Captain Cur
tbs remained to make the trip with MI
Tate on the Sobralense, which is expect
ed to-day.
1t had been reported that Captain Curtis
had said in Barbados that he believed The
sailors mad set fire to the ship to end their
labor at the pumps. Mr.. Cox declared,
with emphsis, yesterday that he had heard
the captain make no such assertions, and
the members of the crew with whom |
al ,ol hot