New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-16
THE PATRIA ON FIRE.
HAMBURG LINERS PASSENGERS RES
CUED OFF DOVER, ENGLAND.
ALL THEIR BELONGINGS LOsT-COOLNEsS
OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW-THE
STEAMER CERES TO THE RESCUE.

London. Nov. 15.-The Hamburg American
steamer Patria, Captain Fr0hlch, which left
NewYork on November 4 for Hamburg, and
passed the Lizard yesterday. is on fire near
Dover. All the passengers have been rescued
and have arrived at Dover.
The Russian steamer Ceres sighted the Patra.
showing signals of distress and demanding i'm
mediate help. about twelve miles from North
/ Hinder Lightship. The liner enveloped in
smoke Putting on full steam the Ceres soon
reached the Patria, and, sending a boat, learned
that Captain Fr5hllch was in urgent need Of as
sistance.
The boats were got out, and with great diff
Guilty all the Patria's passengers, numbering $50.
were transferred to the Ceres which proceeded
to Dover, where she arrived just before mid
night.
/ Francis w. Prescott the United States Consul
in Dover, was Immediately informed, and he
consulted with the harbor authorities. They
/ arranged to send out the harbor tug Lady Vita,
/ which brought the rescued ashore Among the
( saved are many women and children as we'll
six babies in arms.
RESCUED IN GREAT HASTE.
The hurry OF the rescue was indicated by the
fact that most OF the passengers were enveloped
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 pas
sengers, which elected the fact that most Of
them are American citizens who have come for
a vacation in Europe, all were ordered on deck
at o'clock on Wednesday morning, when they
were 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 it advisable for the passengers 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 the oil supplied by it made all
their efforts hopeless.
There was great excitement among the women
and children but the example set by the cool
ness Of Captain FrBhlich and the had
calming effect upon the passengers generally.
THE CREWS DISCIPLINE GOOD
The boats promptly got over the side, the
crew working as If they were at drill. The
safety of the women and the 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 boats as they
had come up from their hunks. and some were
in light raiment The scene was a striking one
with some touching aspects, husbands and
fathers parted from wives and children.
Although everything was carried out under the
most trying conditions thanks to the great cool
ness Of the captain and crew, there was no
panic all the passengers being got into the
boats. and into two fishing boats said to belong
TO Yarmouth which had come up in the mean
time.
THE CERES TAKES THE PASSENGERS.
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 all the Patria's pas
sengers The Ceres offered also to take off Cap
tain Frohlich and the crew. but the latter pre-
ferred 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 considerable
period.
The passengers say they learned from the off,
GERS that Captain Fr0hch hopes to put his
steamer ashore at some point on the coast where
there will be a possibility Of salving her. The
scheme IS a bold one
The passengers. who had had nothing to eat
since 7:30 o'clock on Wednesday morning, were
treated with the greatest kindness being
landed at Dover. Among them were twenty-four
women and about twenty children. who looked
wretched as they landed at the Admiralty pier.
The crew of the liner is said to consist chiefly
OF Americans.
A number Of messages bearing on the news that
the steamer Patria was on fire near Dover. Eng
land were received in this city last night, but
none OF them were from any passenger member
Of the crew the vessel at the time OF the fire.
far as could be learned Any official messages
that sent did not reach Emf; L. Boas. the
manager OF the Hamburg-Amerlcan Line in this
city UP to a late hour last night as he said when
asked II he had heard about the fire the Patria
that he had only indirectly learned OF 1t.
THE officers OF the ship would send word about
the fire to Hamburg" he said. and as It is now
about 3 or o'clock on Thursday morning there.
do not expect to receive any official dispatch from
there until It is morning here"
What have you learned Indirectly" he was
asked.
81 was told that about one hundred and nifty
bod hoo pdad ar