The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-06-30
THE BURNING OF THE NEW
TUG BERENlCE.

TN last Tuesday morning about II
o'clock, on P%ascagoula bay, neal Mid
die Fleet a fire broke out in the for
ward end OF the boiler adjoining the
galley OF the fine new steam tug Der.
enice, owned by Mcssrs. Paterson,
Downing & Co, OF Mobile and Mos
Point. The cause Of the fire Is sup.
posed TO have been spontaneous com.
bustion, and the want OF proper fire.
proof covering OF the boiler and pipes,
1t presented an exciting aud sad
spectacle to the observers on shore.
The tugs Leo and Victor were the first
to reach the distressed steamer and
rendered good assistance in r~escuing
the crew and passengers, all OF whom
except three jumped overheard and
were picked up by the tugs Leo and
Victor, the tug Toiler arriving and
doing like service.
The tug Berenice was returning
with a batch Of baymen from Ship Is.
land, numbering % in all. The only
casualty occurring was the death OF
Mr.. VIM. Feore, who owing to the
great excitement, and heart trouble
to which he was subject, died soon
after he was brought aboard the Leo.
After saving the crew and passengers
the tugs kept at a. respectable dis.
lance for while, probably fearing an
explosion, which did occur soon after.
wards. The boiler did not explode,
but only a steam pipe, which relieved
the boiler OF its enormous pressure
of steam with a fearful r0ar plainly
heard on the beach. Soon after the
Leo returned to the wreck and poured
streams of water on the fire which was
soon eXtinguished, and then towcd
the wreck up to Scranton. While the
lire was in progress A. B. Brown
Jumped into a boat at Pascagoula and
went out to the burning vessel to rem.
der what assistance he mi slt. lie
picked up an empty boat with a coat,
axe, oars, etc. in it and brought it to
shore where it awaits Identification.
Mr.. James }. Feore, the well-known
stevedore, in rescuing his uncle from
drowning, displayed great coolness
and sclf-posscssion. He jumped over.
board and assisted his drowning rela-
tive to the deck of the Leo, where he
shortly after expired. When the body
Of Mr.. VIM. Feore was brought to the
residence of his brother, Capt. Pat
rick Fe0rc, a pathetic scene took
place. BILLY" as he was familiarly
known, was a quiet and good citizen
and his untimely death was regretted
by all.
His funeral took place from the
family residence at 10 a. M. Wednes.
day, proceeding to the Catholic church,
where a solemn requiem mass was
celebrated, Rev, Father Ten Brink
officiating. Deceased was inferred at
the PascagOula Catholic cemetery. A
large concOurse of relatives and
friends followed his remains to the
grave. Mr.. VIM. Fcore was a native
of Quebec, Canada, and came here Y
years ago, engaging in the stevedor.
ing business. He was 81 years and 4
months of age and unmarried.
The Bercnice was oficered as fol-
lows: II. X. Grant, captain; VIM.
Waldorf, engineer; Chas. Scgurblom
and Emmery Martin, dremen; Ingwall
Smith, deck hand; Johh Mathson,
steward. She was built by Chris
Christensen on Krebs' Lake and coin.
plcted in Mobile several weeks ago.
The Berenice was valued at SIS, 900
and will be rebuilt.
1t will cost $1,000 or SO, 900 to repair
the damage to the B~erenice. No In.
surance.