New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-06
WITH FIRE IN HER HOLD.
THE RED STAR LINER SOUTHWARK
RETURNS TO PORT.

RETURNS TO PORT.
SMOKE DISCOVERED ISSUING FROM THE FOR
WARD HATCH on THURSDAY MORNING,
WHEN OFF TIE GEORGES SHOALS
LITTLE DAMAGE DONE AND NO
ALARM AMONG THE PAssEN-
GERs-To SAIL TO-DAY
message was sent 10 this city from the OBJ
server at Fire Island early yesterday morning
that the Red Star liner Southwark was re-
turning to port on fire. The alarming posi-
bilities Of the news which spread rapidly. were
greatly discounted by the knowledge Of the fact
that the steamer was proceeding under her own
steam and had not asked for assistance. Never
theless. friends OF the passengers on board be-
gan to gather at the Offices and at the pier to
learn particulars and the company Immediately
began preparations to send assistance to the
vessel. The fireboat New Yorker, two tugs ana
the police patrol boat were dispatched down the
harbor to meet the Southwark She arrived at
Quarantine in the afternoon and. declining aid.
proceeded to her pier in the North River at
Fulton-st 1t was then learned that the fire was
confined TO the lower hold and that the steel
steamer was not in the slightest danger. Work
Immediately begun to put the fire out and
the company said that the steamer would be
ready to sail again to-day
LEFT PORT ON WEDNESDAY
The Southwark left this port on Wednesday
at noon for Antwerp with sixty-seven first and
second class passengers and one hundred and
thirty-four in the steerage She had reached
a point about go miles east Of Sandy Hook
off the Georges shoals early on Thursday morn
ing when In the darkness the watch noticed
smoke Issuing from the forward hatch. captain
Bcnce was informed and an investigation was
begun without alarming the passengers. In the
lower hold stored grain In Dulk' IN the
middle orlop deck was cotton In bale ana
above that was brewers dried grain In bags
Some Of the passengers baggage was also stored
forward This baggage removed to the
upper deck. and steam was turned through 'he
perforated pipes which circled the vesseTs IN
terror for the purpose u fighting hres ihls
apparently had no effect on the hre as the
smoke continued 70 pour forth from the hatch.
Water was then pumped into the hold. but this
also failed 10 subdue the smoke.
GATHERING OF THE DECK.
The morning nv this time was we'll advanced.
and the messengers had gathered upon the
promenade deck curious to know what was
going on. The officers Of the ship moved quietly
among them. explaining that there was 'hgh'
ere T., the cargo but that there was no cause
FOR alarm At2 o'clock in the afternoon Captain
Romeo summoned tho passengers together ana
said that as the fire was persistent. he deemed
II advisable 10 put abou. and return to New
York This was done and the signal. Fire IN
the lower hold" hoisted.
Throughout that afternoon and night and yes
,erday morning the Southwark slowly steamed
westward and by the time ths bar was reached
the smoke had been greatly reduced In volume
The water I'm the hold was then pumped out 10
tighten the steamer sufficiently for her 20 pass
ovsr the bar She was In the Lower BAY al
about o'clock yesterday afternoon "heh 'he
dreboat New Yorker. the police patroi-poat ana
the tugs Pulver and II. Barrett. sent down
by the Red Star Line Company. met her' zap
tain Rence explained to them that their services
youd not be needed ana proceeded on past
Quarantine without stopping. and win 'he 'ou'
boats slrngng along behind him IN P'o'e'
sion All the time the passengers were seen
upon the deck and II was easily apparent tha'
there was no alarm fslt among them
TWO LINES or HOSE ABOARD
When the Southwark tied uD ri her pier inc
New-Yorker came alongside ani lald TWO ''n'N
of hose aboard. Battalion Chief Kruger o' '"e
Fire Department. In answer TO summons was
at the pier with force Of men ana noon anu
ladder truck The ice-president james ~
Wright and the manager. Clement A. "f'S''".
OF the International Navigation COMPANY VI
which the RoI Star Line is a part were ALSO
at the pier and boarded the vesse' as Soo''
as she was docked The unloading OF the cargo
vas hegun AT once while the passengers stood
about watching the process
Not untu the lower layers Of cotton bales we're
removed were there any evidences OF the fte.
The bottoms Of these bales were slightly
scorched But when the lower hold was opened
up a dense volume Of smoke poured out. com
peIling the men to beat momcntary retreat
The engines ~ the New Yorker were started ana
two streams Of water we're pumped into the hoc'
which finally reduced the smoke 40 that the
work of removing the cargo could he con
tinued Most OF that taken out aherward was
found to be badly damaged by the smouiderins
fire
Whom I, WAS learned tina. the interior OF tho
steamer had not been harmed. an announcement
was made TO the passengers that the vcssel
would sail for Antwerp again to-day. IN
hour OF her departure will be given OUT NJ inc
American Line Offices In Bowling Green at 10
n.ciock The passengers informed thai
meanwhile they might either remain on the
steamer or go ashore and stay wherever they
nile Ised. the company paying the expenses MANY
nf them departed. while some remained
THE LIST OF PASSENGERS.
The first cabin list Includes
Miss Fannie Abbott. Mrs lingen
Miss Elizabeth Adams miss Am N1i,on,
~. -, "a I,oarl Miss Charlotte Preston,
90, Z, W human Miss Louise Preston,
ss,.sH s, r =, chairman Miss Sarah Preston.
~. " ~ ~ Imam Miss Katharine Rice.
!, ,ilas nhpLn, F. ~. Richardson.
,,a.,n rnr,t,x Mrs Richardson and infant,
s,"n", .",,sr ' w. J. KunRershausen.
rs Gl,dlon. - - hu"yon
Wrg "a a Gouah Mrs. Kathlc schmidt,
Wis A n f;rlRgs Miss Hilda Schmidt,
Miss Anna W. Hollenback Miss khthie schihid''
Miss Isabel Klrchner, MISS VI. r., scott
II " Klrkham Lewis A. Storrs.