New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-19
on FIRE IN MID-ATLANTIC.
THE WILSON LINER RIALTO LEFT TO
BURN IN FRIGHTFUL GALE.
SET on FIRE BY AN EXPLOSION IN HER CARGO
AN ENGINEER BLOWN TO PIECES AND AN
OFFICER INJURED - THE OTHER MEN
TAKEN OFF ny THE cARTHAGINIAN

AN ENGINEER BLOWN TO PIECES AND An
OFFICER INJURED THE OTHER MEN
TAKEN OFF ny THE cARTHAGiNIAN
DETAILS OF A DARING RESCUE.
Burned IN md-ocean and her crew dnringly res
cued from impending death was the tale OF tne
Wilson Line steamship Rialto, which the steamer
Carthagiinan of the Allan State Line, brought 10
this port Yesterday.
The Carthagnian arrived after long ana TEN"
pestuous voyage from Glasgow. and there were on
board her Captain Ripperth and the survivors Oh
the wreck VI the Rialto. who, two weeks ago,
passed through experience which is the most
dreaded in n sailors life Their vessel caught fire
from an explosion In a terrific gale and their rate
apps rently sealed, when the Carthagniahs
lights love in sight In the darkness. ana the Al
Ian liner stood CALAMITY by till the wind mad SUD-
sided sufficiently to allow OF the distressed crew
being rescued from their fast sinking ship.
The Rialto which Iron steamer. 80 feet
long, sailed from Newcastle on February Il for
this port with a general cargo. In which was
quantity of chemicals. For ten days out from port
the Riato experienced heavy weather. which on
March increased TO hurricane violence ire
mcndous broke continuously over the vessel
smashing lifeboats and doing much damage 10 her
superstructure. Only one small boat was ielt IN
tact. At the height Of the storm two weeks ago
last Wednesday an explosion sent culver through
ters and an examination made of the forward hold
Flames were seen In Hatch No. !. and the cry
ship afrer' was shouted among the startled men
Mr. Coleman the chief officer. and the thirn
engineer brought the steamers hose to bear on the
threatened hatch and sent stream OF water INTO
the rising flames Suddenly while the engineer was
leaning over the open hatchway with the hose
nozzle second explosion OF great force shook the
ship from stem to stern. Dense volumes OF smoke,
heavily impregnated with the suffocating odor OF
chemicals poured out OF the hatch. When II
cleared the chief officer was found lying on inc
deck unconscious The third engineer had disap-
peared. His body had been blown to pieces and
the remains were swept overheard by the seas.
After the second explosion Captain Ripperth or
dered the hatches hattened down. The order was
obeyed in the face Of friehtful difficulties, and
afterward an examination of the ship was made
IT was found that the forward plates had been
Ioosened by the force OF the explosion, and the
ships carpenter reported that the steamer was
making water rapidly in the hold. At the time the
Rialto was about five hundred miles from the Irish
coast. Her head put about for Queenstown
and signals OF distress displayed AT o'clock
in the evening the the lights OF the
Cartha gnian bearing down on them. The cartha-
ginian rounded the burning ship as the
fearful gale would permit and answered TO me
signals OF the Rlatos crew that she would lie ny
The next day the sea was running too high 20
permit a boat TO he lowered. and for the next
twenty four hours both vessels waited for the gale
10 moderate. on Friday morning Second OfilceT
Tiernev OF the Ralo put off with a crew In the
small ooat that had escaped being smashed by the
sea. He reached the side OF the Carthaginian and
reported the Riatos plight. There was still con
siderable danger Tor small boats in the seas then
running but the Carthsginan sent off one in
charge OF the fourth officer 10 the assistance of
the imperied crew. The boat had to be hosted
to the Rialto's gunwale to allow the injured first
officer Coleman. 10 be placed In the bottom. The
boat was then lowered. and after three trips be-
tweer the two steamers the ere of twenty-eght
men, Captain Ripperth and a collie dog. Dan,
transferred to the Carthssinian. Ths -Rialto was
stilI burning when the rescuing vessel steamed
away westward
The Rialto was built In Hull In 1878 and registered
100 tons. T Wilson, Sons & Co. we're her owners
Her crew will he sent back TO England. The Car
tina ginian experienced frghtfu gales her trip
but suffered only a small amount OF damage to her
suDerstructure