Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-11-16
Destructive Fire Breaks Out
on the Hamburg meri-
can Steamer at Sea.
ALL HER PASSENGERS SAVED
Ceres Most of the Passengers Were
Americans Returning From Euro
pean vacatious-Gallaut Work
by tho Crew.

London, Nov. 1j.--The Hamburg-Amer-
lean steamer Patria Capt. Froich. which
left New York November for Hamburg
and passed the Lizard yesterday Is on
fire neaC Dover.
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 IL miles
from North Hinder lghtship. The liner
was enveloped in smoke. Putting on fun
steam the Ceres soon CcaChed the Palria
and sending boat. learned that Capt
Froich was in urgent need of assistance.
The boats We're got out and with great
difficulty all the Patria's passengers, num-
boring $50, were transferred to the Ceres
which proceeded for Dover. where she ar
rvd just before midnight.
Francis w. Prescott. the United States
consul in Dover was Immediately notified
and he consulted with the harbor authori-
tics. who arranged to send out the harbor
tag Lady Vita, which brought the rescued
ashore. Among the saved are many la
dies and children, as we'll as six babes in
arms.
The hurry of the rescue was indicated
by the fact that most of them were en-
veloped in blankets only. They wele rap
idly distributed among the hotels or sent
to the sailors home and everything posi-
bic is being done for their comfort.
According to interviews with some Of
the passengers which elected the fact that
most of them are American citizens who
have coma for a vacation In Europe all
were ordered on deck at O'Clock " ednes-
day morning when they were Informed
that disastrous fire had broken out
among the general cargo. and as the crew
weie unable to master it. the captain said
he considered 1t advisable for the passe1-
gers to take to the boats
At this time 1t was evident the fire had
obtained a thorough hold upon the cargo.
Smoke and flames were ascending with
overpowerlng force and causing the sreat-
est alarm. The crew, according 10 sew
eral passengers worked like heroes in Il g r
ondeavers to keep the flames under butthe
graf quantity of lnseed among the cargo
and the oil supplied by this made all their
effoCtS hopeless
There was very great excitement among
| the women and children but the example
set by the GOODNESS of Capt Frolch AMI
! the crew had a calming effect upon the
passengers g60erally.
The boats were promptly got over thc
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 belong
inEs they had to get into the boats as
they came up from their hunks, and some
were in very light raiment.
! The scene was striking one, with some
touching aspects, as husbands and faith
ers parted from wives and children.
Although everything was carried out UNI
der the most trying conditions thanks to
the great GOODNESS of the captain and crew
there was no panic. all the passengers be-
ing gotten into the boats and into two fish,
ing boats said to- belong to Yarmouth
which had come up in the meantime.
Just as this had been effected a large
steamer was seen to be making toward tile
burning liner She proved to be the Ceres
which first sent a boat and then picked up
all the Patria's passengers. The Ceres
offered also to take off Capt. Frolich and
the crew, but the latter preferred 10 re-
main by the vessel so long as there vas
any chance of saving her, although there
WAS the greatest danger in dong SO, her
hull being red hot at the time and there
being every evidence that she would burn
for considerable period.
The passengers say they learned from
the officers that Capt. Frolich hopes To
put his steamer ashore at some point on
the coast where there will be possibility
of saving her.
The scheme is n bold one that does
credit To a gallant crew and which, 1t is
hoped may be successful.
The passengers, who had had nothing &c
| eat since half past seven Wednesd y
morning, were treated with the greatest
kindness on being landed al Dover. Among
| them We're "a ladies and about % chldrey
who looked very wretched as they landed
at the admiralty pier
The crew OF the liner Ia said to consist
chiefly of Americans