The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-10

NEW YORK, May 9.-The World says:
The Mallory line steamer Leona.
which left her pier on Saturday
bound for Galveston. took fire at
sea put back and arrived In port tonight
with sixteen corpses on board The dead
are thirteen steerage passengers and
three members of the crew, who succumb-
ed to terrible fire which occurred off
the Delaware cape at an early hour this
morning.
The horror of the story can hardly
be told tonight Those who are dead were
penned up between decks and the fire had
gained such headway before the danger
vas discovered that all escape was shut
OF.
The steamer carried in her cargo many
bales of cotton. 1t is not certain how
the fire originated. but when discovered
II burst forth with such fury that II was
Impossible to reach the steerage. Even
then the steerage passengers were appa-
rently unniindful of the danger ere the
smoke and flames had reached them.
The saloon passengers were first reused
and in such a manner as 10 occasion lit
tie alarm. When it became apparent
that the fire had cut OF the steerage. the
captain and his men poured great quanti-
ties OF water down the matches and the
escape OF those penned UP.
In this way eight of the steerage passen-
gers made their escape. The dead are:
r. CATINE.
MRS. c. GJJZZA.
MSS HASNAH soLoMANsoN.
MRS. yALCIKS.
MISS VALCIKS.
SOPHIE SCHWARTZ.
MARIA WADES.
:. ALFRED HARDY, waiter. New York.
ALFRED LANG. waiter. New York.
al. HARTM ANN, butcher, New York
Two unknown children
Two unidentified.
The steamer left here Saturday at 8 p.
m. bound for Galveston. with eleven sa-
lon passengers. She carried a general
cargo of merchandise. Capt. Wilson
was In command, with First Mate Wal
lace and Second Mate Sweeny, Engineer
Max Taylor, with three assistants and a
crew of seventy-five men. including fire.
men and deckhands. Among the passen-
gers were ID. V. Winsiow. of Rutherford.
n. J. On his return to this city Mr..
Winslow told the following graphic story
of the fire.
eve left the pier at p. m. yesterday.
We passed through the narrows. making
excellent time. Sandy Hook was passed
and the lights of Jersey shore were still
visible when we went to bed. By the
time we passed Barnegat light at 10
O'Clock all the passengers were in bed.
The passengers in the steerage had also
retired. The watch going of at IL o'clock
reported everything well. There was no
suspicion OF fire or other trouble. The
sea was very smooth and there was no
wind. The moon was shining brightly.
FIRST Mate Wallace was passing the
bridge about 2 a. m. when he thought he
smeiled smoke coming from the fore
castle. He went down the forward COM
panionway and opened the door to the
steerage. The moment he did this there
was a burst of fame which burned his
face He ran on deck and carried the
alarm of fire 10 the forward watch. tell
ing him 10 wake the steward and have
the passengers aroused as quickly as pos
sible without creating excitement.
ssTsle steward did this in a quiet manner.
yoing TO each stateroom and waking the
occupants '.He said in calm tones there
was a slight fire in the forward part Of
the ship. and it might be advisable for the
passengers TO get their things together. 1t
might be possible. ne added. that the ship
would eventually have 70 be abandoned.
"There was no excitement among the
saloon passengers. Most Of them packed
their luggage and carried II 10 the main
saloon. They gathered in the saloon and
remained there. and after the officers had
assured them there was no immediate dam
ger they took matters quietly.
came back with the report Of the progress
az the flames. He said the fire was con-
enad below decks, and as the flames did
not risa very high, the passengers did not
fsIlv realize the extent OF their peril.
.capt. Wilder rushed on deck at the first
alarm clad only in an undershirt and
,rousers. Hs assumed command. and at
once ordered the crew 10 rescue the steer
~a nasxengers On the same deck with
- s.s.v,e,. or1 the mort side large nuan-
..,v os cotton bagging was stored. separ-
s,sd from the steerage passengers By a
soard partition. The msin deck was al
,,,osr completely filed with freight. cut
ing off all exit from the steerage 10 the
after part OF the ship
s.,rhe only way from the steerage was
nm the forward companionway- The
,rysw. on the captains orders. rushed "a
the companion way and attempted 10 de-
srend. They were driven back by dense
s.rl,,n,es OF smoke ard flames quickly fol-
,,,,rs The smoke and flames also came
m through the ventilators. and II was
annareut TO all on deck that below decks
was q roaring furnace
.srvnen IL dawned on the officers and
~raw that the unfortunates In the steer
a.. were probably burning 10 death
rsans wilder saw his crew driven back
ana th4 realization OF the horror below
made him desperate
..He rushed 10 the stairs and boldly at
tempted 10 so below iie did not get dosE
NOR. than half a dozen steps. when thl
dame drove him on deck He steppes
Rack 10 the shelter OF the pilot house. Hi
face was se0rched- Ills eyebrows wer'
burned OF He stood there dazed and
overcome for a moment Then he ex
claimed.