The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-16
THE ESCAPE DIFFICULT
FIRE BROKE OUT AMONG THE
GENERAL CARGO.
FED BY LlNsEEO OIL. ALL EFFORT VAIN
The Passengers Reach Dover in Safety. The
Captain Remains by the Ship in the
Hope Of Putting Her Ashore
and Saving Her.

london. Nov. 1.-THE Hamburg
American steamer Patria, Captain F'roh-
Itch. which left New York November
4th for Hamburg and passed the Lizard
yesterday. is on fire near Dover. All
the passengers We're rescued and have
arrived at Dover
The Russian steamer Ceres sighted
the Patria, showing signals of distress
and demanding immediate help about
twelve miles from North Hinder Light
ship. The liner was enveloped in smoke.
Putting on full steam the Ceres soon
reached the Patria, and sending a boat
learned that Captain Frolich was in ur-
gent need of assistance.
The boats were got out, and with grea,
difficulty all of the Patria's passengers.
numbering 100 were transferred to the
Ceres which proceeded for Dover, where
She arrived just before midnight.
Francis w Prescott, the United
States Consul in Dover, was immediate
ly notified and he consulted with the
harbor authorities. who arranged To
send out the harbor tug Lady Vita,
which brought the rescued ashore
Among the saved are many ladies and
children. as well as six babes in arms.
The hurry of the rescue was Indicated
ny the fact that most of the passen-
gers were enyeloped in blankets only.
They were 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
citizens who have come for vacation
in Europe, all were ordered on deck at
Il o'clock Wednesday morning. WIN IL they
We're informed that disastrous fire
had broken out among the general cargo.
and, as the crew were unable to master
it, the captain said he CONSIDERED il
advisable for the passengers 20 take TO
the boats.
At this time it was evident that the
fire had obtained thorough hold upon
the cargo. Smoke and flames were as
oending with oyerpowering 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 the 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 Captain
Frohlich and the crew had calming
effect on the passengers generally.
The boats were promptly got over the
sides, the crew working as if they were
at drill. The safety Of the ladies and
children was the first consideration. As
the 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 swas q striking one, with
some touching aspects, as husbands and
fathers parted from wives and children.
Although everything was carried out
underfthe most trying conditions, thanks
TO the great GOODNESS of the captain and
the crew, there was no panic, all of the
passengers being gotten into the boats
and into the two fishing boats said to
belong to Yarmouth, which had come up
in the meantime.
Just as this had been effected large
steamer was seenfto 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 also offered to take off
Captain Frolich and the crew, but the
latter preferred to remain by the vessel
so long as there was any chance Of say
ing her, although there was the greatest
danger in doing SO, her hull being red
hot mt the time and there being every
evidence that she would burn for a con-
siderable period.
The passengers say they heard from
the officers that Captain Frolich hopes
TO put his steamer ashore at some point
on the coast where there will be a pos
sibility of salving her.