The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-16
PATRIA BURNS AT SEA.
All the Passengers Rescued by
Russian Steamer.

London, Nov. 16.-The Hamburg
American steamer Patria, Captain
Frohlich, which left New York NOvem-
Der 4 for Hamburg is on fire near Do
Yer. All the passengers were rescued
and have arrived at Dover.
The Russian steamer Ceres sighted
the Patria, showing signals of distress
and demanding immediate help, about
u miles from North Hinderlight- The
liner was envelOped in smoke. Putting
on full steam, the Ceres reached the
Partia, and, sending a boat, learned
that Captain FrOhlich was in urgent
need of assistance.
The boats We're got out, and with
great difficulty all the Patria's passen-
gers, numbering $50 We're transferred
to the Ceres, which proceeded for Do
Yer, where she arrived just before mid
night.
Francis w. Prescott. the United
States consul in Dover. was Immediate
ly notified, and he consulted with the
harbor authorities. who arranged to
send the harbor tug Lady Vita, which
brought the rescued ashore. Among the
saved are many ladies and children,
as we'll as six babies in arms.
The hurry of the rescue was indica-
Gated by the fact that most of them
were envelOped in blankets only. They
We're rapidly distributed among the
hotels or sent to the sailors home, and
everything possible is being done for
their comfort.
According to interviews with some of
the passengers. which elected the fact
that most of them are American citi-
ZenS who have come on a vacation in
Europe, all were ordered on deck at
O'Clock Wednesday morning when they
were informed that a disastrous fire
had broken out among the general
cargo, and, as the crew were unable to
master it, the captain said he consid-
cred it advisable for the passengers to
take to the boats. All this time it was
evident that the fire had obtained a
thorough hold upon the cargo. Smoke
and flames were ascending with over
pOwering force and causing the great
est alarm.
The crew, according to several pas
sengers. worked like heroes in their en-
deavOrs to keep the flames under con-
troll, but the great quantity of Hnseed
among the cargo and the oil supplied
by this made all their efforts hopeless.
There was very great excitement
among the women and the children, but
the example set by the GOODNESS of
Captain Frohlich and the crew had
calming effect on the passengers gen
orally.
The boats were promptly got over the
side, the crew working as if they were
at drill. The safety of the ladies and
the children was the first consideration.
AS the fire had by this time consumed
the greater part of the passengers be
lOngings they had to get into the boats
as they had come up from their hunks
and some in very light rainment
The scene was a striking one, with
some touching aspects, as husbands and
fathers parted from wives and children
Although everything was carried out
under the most trying conditions,
thanks to the cOOlness of the captain
and crew, there was no panic, all of the
passengers being gotten into the boats
and into two fishing boats said to be
long to WartmOuth, which had come
up in the meantime.
Just as this had been effected a large
steamer was seen to be making toward
the burning liner. She proved to be
the Ceres. which first sent a boat and
then picked up all the Patria's passen-
gers. The Ceres offered also to take off
Captain FrOhlich and the crew. but the
latter preferred to remain by the yes
sci 50 long as there was any chance
of saving her, although there was the
greatest danger in doing So her hull
being red hot at the time and there
being every evidence that she would
burn for a considerable period.
The passengers say they learned from
the officers that Captain Frohich hopes
to put his steamer ashore at some point
on the coast. where there will be a
possibility of salvaging her
The passengers. who had nothing to
eat since half past Z o'clock Wednes-
day morning, were treated with the
greatest kindness on being landed at
Dover.
The crew of the liner is said to con-
sist chiefly of Americans
London Nov. 16.-The steamer Alber-
tay, passing Beachy Head this morn
ing, signalled that she spoke the Ham
burg-American line steamer Patria 65
miles from Hamburg in tow of COM
pany steamer When last seen steam
was issuing from the Patria- The Al
bertay had stood by the Patria for five
hours and left when no further assist
ance was required.
Hamburg. Nov. 16.-The crew of the
Hamburg-American liner Patria are on
board the company's steamer Athesia,
Captain Voss, from Philadelphia, No
vember ?. for Hamburg. which is tow
ing the Patria toward the Elbe
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION
New York, Nov 16-Emn L. Boas of
the Ham burg-American line today re-
ceived a cablegram which read:
'Patria in north sea afiame stem TO
stern. Spontaneous CONFUSION linseed.
Passengers safe on Ceres Athesia
alongside and trying to tow Patrfa into
Elbe. Kaiser Frederick will transport
passengers to Hamburg"