The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-28
FIRE RAGING IN
ASTEAMER'S HOLD
The Ardandhu Puts Into New York
With Her Passengers.
BURNING SINCE M0ND NIGHT.
The Fire Was Discovered at That Time
and Only the Firmness of the Cap
tain and Mate Prevented
Panic on Board.

NEW YORK. July 1.-THE steauahip
Ardandhu, of the Tweedie Line. trading
between West Indian ports and this city.
came up the bay to-day with a heavy
list to starboard. and the cargo stored
in her lower hold on fire. The fire 6rst
made it's appearance at $3.50 o'clock Mon
day night, when IL the vessel had made
an uninterrupted voyage she should have
been OF the New Jersey shore and close
10 Sandy Hook. But leaky boilers and
the breaking down Of her engines delayed
the steamer az least thirty hours. sad at
the time of the discovery of the flames Ia
her hold No. 3. the steamer was of
Fcnwicks Islands, on the coast OF Mary
land.
ALMOST A PANIC.
The widest excitement followed the
outbreak Of the fire, and several OF the
eleven Storage passengers. all Jamai-
cans, endeayored TO seize the life boats.
The third mate, Percy Sanders. was
forced 10 draw his revolver TO prevent the
men from tho Storage leaving the burn
ing steamer In the three life boats. which
could easily have accommodated tbs
other fOrty-fye passengers and members
of the crew.
The passengers were. however. forced
out OF the boats by Captain Walker and
his men. and when discipline was re-
stored. preparations were made for thu
saving Of the lives OF the women and
children OF the vessel.
LIFE BOATS LOWERED.
The three life boats were lowered into
the sea, which was quite calm. and tho
ships officers stood by the rope ladders.
Thus panic was avegted and the safety
Of the dfty-six persons on board the Ar
dandhu assuredThe heat was SO intense
and the smoke 50 heavy that IL was for A
time unsafe for the passengers 10 re-
main on the upper deck They wera
ordered forward and the women and
children were first put I'm the life boats,
each OF which had fun supply OF food
and water on board and was supplied
with cOmpasses and signal rockets
UNDER CONTROL.
10 was nearly midnight when Captain
Walker considered that he had the fro
under control and decided 10 continue on
his way to New York The women and
children were taken back 10 the steamer
and the life boats were hoisted 10 the
davts but were not taken on board.
The officers from that time on kept
watch over the life boats 90 prevent tho
eleven Jamaicans. who appeared 20 ns
terror stricken. from deserving the burn
ing steamship in them. Two Of the steer
age passengers. however. slowed than
selves lin the small boat astern and re-
NAMED there until the Ardandhu reached
tho narrOws.
FIRE EXTENSIVE.
on the trip up the coast Captain
Walker brought the steamship 10 a stand
still % ascertain n the steam was get
ting the best Of tho flames In the lower
hold. Although Il was apparent that the
| flames were being held in check, IL was
also clear that the fire IN No hold. was
an extensive ono. Between decks the
| heat was unbearable and when tho covers
| from the yentilator holes we're removed
/ smoke rolled out Of the opening. The fire
continued 10 burn and the Ardandhu on
account OF the water which had been lei
into holds No. and 4, had a heavy liss
20 starboard preventing much speed.