The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-16
BURNING OF STEAMER PATRIA.
MANY OF TIE PASSENGERS HAD To
LEAVE IN BLANKETS.

Cargo of Ldnseed OH on the HAM
burg-American Liner Augmented
the FInmes-C0OIness of Capt. FEa~
Itch CnImed. the Pnssengers-MOnv
OF Them Were Americans on Their
VncntiOn-sOIne Had Babes iU
Arms-FrOIich Remained with His
Vessel.
London, Nov. 15.-The Hamburg -Ameri-
can steamer Patria, Capt. Frohlich, which
left New York Nov. 4 for Hamburg. and
passed the Lizard yesterday Is on fire
near Dover. All the passengers were res
cued and have arrived at Dover.
The Russian steamer Ceres sighted the
Pauia, showing signals OF distress and
demanding immediate help. about twelve
miles from North Hinder lightship. Tho
liner was enveoped in smoke. Putting ON
full steam. the Ceres soon reached the Pa
tria. and. sending a boat. learned that
Capt. Frohlich was In urgent need Of as
slstance.
The boats were got out, and with diffi~
Guilty all of the Patria's passengers, num-
bering 100. were transferred to the Ceres.
which proceeded for Dover. where she arr
rived just before midnight.
Francis W. Prescott the United States
consul In Dover. was Immediately notified
and he consulted with the harbor authori-
tles, who arranged to send out the harbor
tug Lady Vita, which brought the res
cued ashore.
Among the saved are many ladies and
children. as well as six babes in arms.
The hurry of the rescue was indicated by
the fact that most of the passengers werc
enveloped In blankets only. They were
rapidly distributed among tho hotels or
sent to the Sailors Home, and everything
possible Is being done for their comfort.
Crew Could Not Master 1t.
According to interviews with some OF the
passengers. which ELECTED tho fact that
most OF them are American citizens who
have come for a vacation in Europe, all
were ordered on deck al 6 O'Clock Wednes-
day 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 considered 1t advisable for the passeng-
ers to take TO the boats
AT this time it was evident that the fire.
had obtained a thorough hold upon the
cargo. Smoke and flames were ascending
with overpowering force and causing the
| greatest alarm. The crew, according TO
several passengers worked like heroes In
their endeavors to keep the flames under
but the great quantity OF linseed among
the cargo and tho oil supplied by this
made all their efforts hopeless
There was very great excitement among
the women and children, but the example
set by the GOODNESS of Capt. Frollch and
the crew had a calming effect on the pas
| sengers generally
Escaped In Light Raiment.
The boats were promptly got over the
side the crew working as IL they were at
drill The safety of the ladies and chill
dren was the first consideration. As tho
fire had by this time consumed the greater
part of the passengers belongings, they had
to get into the boats as they had come up
from their hunks. and some were In very
| light raiment.
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 10 the great cool
ness OF the caDtain and The crew, there
was no panic, all of the passengers being
gotten into the boats and into two fishing
boats said TO belong TO Yarmouth, which
| had come up In the meantime.
Just as this had been effected 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 oil the Patria's passengers. The
| Ceres also offered TO take on Capt Frolich
| and the crew, but the latter preferred to
| remain by the vessel so 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 Capt Frolich hopes to
| put his steamer ashore at some point on
the coast where there will be possibility
| of salving her