New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-12
OLDHAM IN AFTER A HOT TRIP.
FIRE IN HER HOLD ON HER ARRIVAL
HERE.
FLAMES PUT OUT AT SANTIAGO. BUT BROKE
OUT AGAIN AND ARE STILL SHOULDER
ING 80 sURGEoN-MAJoR SEAMAN
PRAISED BY THE MEN

PRAISED BY THE MEN.
The transport OLDHAM arrived In this port yes
terday afternoon after most eventful round trip
from Porto Rico. She brought 305 convalescent
soldiers and passengers, most of the soldiers be-
longing to the 4th and 18th Pennsylvania, the
I'd and 81 Wisconsin, the 9th Illinois and the
10Th Infantry OF the sick only two were seri-
ously III, one of those cases being a sufferer
with pneumonia There was no contagious dis
ease on board. and all the convalescents were
doing we'll. Major Louis L. Seaman was the
surgeon in charge. and Captain Walter Allen
the military commander of the ship.
The OLDHAM left this port September IA
with the Sd Battery and companies of the 4th
and 18th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Captain
Allen then in command and Captain r. NJ.
Pugsey was the civil navigating officer Captain
Allen and Captain Pugsley did not get on we'll
together. and rumor has 1t that Captain Pugs-
ley threatened to throw Captain Allen off the
bridge For this he was placed under arrest,
and at Ponce, where the OLDHAM arrived
September %, he relieved of his command.
Captain J. H. Bond, formerly chief officer Of
the ship made navigating officer in his
place.
The OLDHAM lay in the harbor OF Ponce until
September % On September % the third Off
GER Frederick J. Robbins, was struck by the
boom of cargo crane and knocked overheard
When he was fshed out 1t was discovered that
he had suffered about every injury he could sus-
tain and still live His skull was fractured, sew
eral Of his ribs and his nose were broken, and
he unconscious He taken to the hos
pital at Ponce. The OLDHAM left Ponce on Sep
TENDER IS and arrived at Santiago two days
later. AT that port Major Seaman and Captain
80 J. IL. 1T
have already been published According TO the
soldiers on the OLDHAM Captain Allen was dila-
tory in preparing the vessel to leave Santiago
and did not take sufficient pains in supplying
the necessary food and ice for the men. More
over. Major Seaman was forced TO protest
against the overcrowdng Of the ship
FIRE ON THE SHIP
The OLDHAM left Santiago however on Octo-
Der 2. The next morning fire was discovered in
one Of the forward holds. where 500 tons Of BAL
last coal were stored The coal had been there
for long time and was almost reduced to
powder. To add to the danger, there had been
stored on the orlop deck just above the place
where the fire broke out. 10000 rounds OF am
munition. All hands were set to work at the
pumps, and quantities Of water were poured
into the hold, the ship meanwhile being held to
her course. The fire could not be subdued.
however, and at II o'clock the same night.
when off Cape Maysi. the O5dam was headed
back to Santiago, where she arrived early on
the morning Of October 4. Natives were at
once hired to take the coal from the hold They
worked we'll for time. but they approached
the fire the heat became so intense that they
refused TO continue the work. and only went on
when forced to do SO at the point OF the pistol
When two-thirds Of the coal had been re-
moved water turned on the remainder.
til it was believed that the flames had been
finally subdued. This work had consumed the
better part Of two days, and 1t was after noon
on October when the OLDHAM more
turned her out Of the harbor of Santiago
That same night occurred the only death that
took place on the OLDHAM Private J. L. Swee-
ney of Company I. 9th Illinois, was the victim.
his death being due TO a compiled ton OF dis
buried at sea the next day. Colonel Charles II
Gibson reading the burial service.
Last Saturday IL was discovered that the FIRE
in the hold had not been entirely subdued. This