The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-10
ROASTED
ALIVE.
Leona's Steerage Passengers
Meet a Terrible Death
on the High Seas.
The Remains of Sixteen Charred
Bodies Awaiting Burial in
New YOrk's MOrgue
PITIFUL STORY OF THE TRAGEDY.
Fire Started In Cotton Bagging and Passengers
Imprisoned In Seethiag Furnace Below
the Decks of the Steamer.
PI7IFUL STORY OF THE TRAGEDY.


has occurred on the high seas. The re-
suit is seen at the morgue, where 10
Charred bodies are awaiting burial. The
dead are 13 steerage passengers and
three of the crewsof the Mallory line
steamer Leona, which left this port
Saturday for Galveston. Last night she
returned with her forward parts burned
cut. Those who are dead were penned up
below deck, and although frantic efforts
were made by the officers of the vessel to
save them the fire had such terrific head
way before the danger was discovered
that all escape was cut Off The steamer
carried amongst her cargo many bales
Of cotton. The fire started in some
iute bagging in the forward hold and
when il was discovered the flames burst
forward with such fury that it was i'm
possible to reach the steerage. Even
then the steerage passengers, apparent
iy, We're unmindful OF the danger, or
else the smoke and flames had not
reached them. The saloon passengers
were first aroused. and in such man.
ner as 10 occasion little alarm. When
it became apparent that the fire had
cut off the steerage passengers. the cap
tain and his men poured great guam
titles of water down the ventilator, and
:he most frantic efforts were made for
the escape of those penned UP. In this
way eight of the steerage passengers
made their escape.
The dead are:
Steerage passengers-Bridget Sui
ivan, X. Catain, Mrs. c. Guzza, Miss
Guzza, Miss Hannah Solomanson, Mrs.
Valcicks, Miss Valcicks, Sophie
Schwartz, Marie Wades, two unknown
children, two unidentified.
The crew-Alfred Hardy, waiter, Al
years old, New York; Alfred Lang,
waiter 10 years old, New York; II. II.
Hartman, butcher, q years old, New
York.
Captain Wilder was in command, with
First Mate Walker and Second Mate
Sweeny assisting. The chief engineer
was Taylor, with three assistants, and
a crew of about 10 men, including fire
men and deck hands.
story of the Tragedy.
Among the passengers were 5. V.
Wlnslow Of Rutherford. y. j. Mr..
Winslow tells the following graphic
story OF the fire:
First Mate Wallace was pacing the
bridge about a. IN. when he thought
he smelled smoke coming from the froe-
castle. He went down the forward
companionway and opened the door to
the steerage The moment he did this
there was burst of flame, which burned
his face.
wallace turned and ran on deck and
cried the alarm of fire to the forward
watch, telling him to awaken the steward
and have all the passengers aroused as
quickly as possible without creating any
excitement. The steward did this in a
careful manner, going to each stateroom
and waking the occupants.
He said in calm tones that there was
a slight fire i'm the forward part of the
skip, and It might be advisable for the
messengers TO get their things together.
II might be possible, he added, that the
ship would have to be abandoned.
There was no excitement among the
saloon passengers. Most of them packed
their luggage and carried ii from their
staterooms into the main saloon. They
gathered in the saloon and remained
there. and after the officers had assured
them that there was no immediate dan
ger they took matters quietly.
'The steward made frequent trips for
ward and came back with reports Of the
progress of the flames. He said that
the fire was confined below decks. and
as the flames did not rise very high the
passengers did not fully realize the ex-
tent Of their peril.
Captain Wilder rushed on deck at the
flrst alarm, clad only In an undershirt
and trousers. He assumed command.
and at once ordered the crew TO rescue
the steerage passengers. On the same
deck with the steerage, on the port side
of the ship, a large quantity OF cotton
baggIng was stored, separated from the
steerage passengers by a board parti-
tion.
The main deck was almost COM
pletely filled with freight, cutting of 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.
"Tbe crew on the captains orders
rushed for the companionway and at
tempted to descend. They were driven
hack by dense volumes OF smoke and
names. The smoke and flames also came
nm through the ventilators. and 1t was
anparent TO all who were on deck that
below decks was a roaring furnace.
"Then IL dawned on the officers and
crew that the unfortunates I'm the steer
age were probably burning to death.
Captain wilder saw his crew driven back
from the companionway. and the realiza-
ton of the horror below made him des-
pernte.