The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-16
lFLlME ON 1HE deer.
Hambdrg-Amsrioan Liner Patria
In Danger Of Destruction.
ALL TEE PASSENGERS RESCUED.

However, Remain on Board the Yes
sci and WIN Endeavor to Run Her
Ashore on the Beach.
London, Nov. 16.-The Hamburg
American line steamer Patria, Cap
tain Frohlich, which left New York
Nov. for Hamburg and passed the
+ Lizard on Tuesday, is on fire near
Dover. All the passengers were res-
cued 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 lightship.
The liner was enveloped In smoke.
Putting on full steam. the Ceres soon
reached the Patria, and sending a boat
learned that Captain Frohlich was in
urgent need of assistance.
The boats were got out, and with
great difficulty all the Patria's passen-
gers, numbering $50, were transferred
to the Ceres, which proceeded for
Dover. where she arrived just before
midnight.
Francis W. Prescott. the United
States consul at Dover, was immedi-
ately 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 indicat-
cd by the fact that most of them 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 passengers, 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 6 o'clock Wednesday morning, when
they were informed that a disastrous
fire had broken out among the general
cargo, and as the crew were unable to
master 1t the captain said he consid-
cred 1t advisable for the passengers
to take to the boats.
At this time It was evident that the
fire had obtained thorough hold upon
the cargo. Smoke and flames were
ascending with overpowering force and
causing the greatest alarm. The crew,
according to several passengers, work.
ed 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 a
calming effect on the passengers gener-
ally.
The boats were promptly got over
the side, the crew working as if they
were at drill. The safety of the ladies'
and the children were the first consid-
GRAFTON. AS the fire had by this time
consumed the greater part of the pas
sengers' 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 striking one, with
some touching aspects, as husbands
and fathers parted from wives and
children. Although everything was
carried out under the most trying con-
ditions, thanks to the great GOODNESS
Of the captain and crew, there was no
panic, oil Of the passengers being got
ten 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 the
Ceres was sighted. She picked up all
the Patria's passengers. The Ceres Of
fered also to take off Captain Frohlich
and the crew. but the latter preferred
to. remain by the vessel 30 long as
there was any chance of saving her,
there was the greatest danger
in doing SO, her hull being red hot at
the time. and there being every evil
dence that she would burn for con-
siderable period.
The passengers say they learned
form the officers that Captain Frohlich
hopes to put his steamer ashore at
some point on the coast where there
will be a possibility of salving her. The
scheme is bold one, that does credit
to gallant crew.