Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-22
y { |! ( IS, I. ERE
CONTINUED from First PaIg,e.)

Chief Ryan. who led them In the dan
gerous fight against the flames, Is
Justly proud Of their good work and
endurance They worked solidly for
twelve hours, and those who went to
the Brambieton fire had fourteen hours
work mt that.
The rescues they made, with the as
sistance of the police, street cleaners,
hospital attaches and citizens. de-
serve to rank as noble deeds, attest
Ing the physical bravery of human
courageous acts that come from the
battleflelds. It has already been told
how coolly the sisters assisted the work
of rescuing. Not only they, but the
nurses and the hired help bravely did
their duty One of the nurses, Miss
Aga tina McQuaig, made ten rescues by
herself There was probably not one
of the nurses but that had their hair
singed and clothes scorched by the
flames. So rapidly did the fire spread
before the work of rescue was done
many Of the rescuing party on the
by the stirway and had to be taken
out by the flremen on ladders.
HEROIC NO. O.
An incident OF the big fire at ST.
Nincent's Hospital became public that
deserves special mention. When the
| call was sent TO Portsmouth for help
| the message was sent to the Ports
| mouth police station. An officer there
whose number is 0, at once ran to the
fire engine house. climbed up to the
| bell and, as the bell rope was missing,
| he rang a general call. beating with his
hands the big clapper against the bell
| till the blood ran from his fingers, the
ends Of which were worn raw.
| He succeeded and summoned the de-
| n
where 1t did splendid work in helping
to subdue the flames and save proper
ty. The valued assistance of the
Portsmouth Fire Department elected
general praise from the citizens of
| Norfolk to-day
No. is officer James Broughton, a
young man who came over afterwards
and offered his services in any capa-
city.
THE FERRY BOATS.
Too much praise cannot be given to
the ferry authorities, for rs soon as
gincs or hose carts reached the water
the ferry schedules were disregarded
and the boats at once sent to bring
them to Norfolk. This was of material
assistance in bringing Portsmouth's
flre-ilghters to the terrible scene quick
~.
THANKS FOR HELP.
Chief Ryan desires to express his
thanks to the Portsmouth Fire Depart
ment for responding so quickly. also to
the Navy Department firemen for their
assistance. Both contingents did SPLEEN
cid work. Sergeant Petersen In charge
of the Navy Department engine and the
marines and firemen, 20 In all, showed
their pluck on several occasion. Rob
ert G. Whittemore, of this city,
was among the first to dash in to res
cue Firemen Barrett and Foster after
the tinbers fell on them.
Sister Bernard desires to thank tn,
people in general for their sympathy
and kindness. She requests the Vir-
gininn-Pilot to extend to everyone who
have sent in donations to help in the
emergency the thanks Of the sisters
The donations will be acknowledged
later.
NOTES.
The mosquito net which started the
fire was in Miss Edgerton's room, and
caught from q gas jet. patients being
allowed to have jets at their own ex.
penses.This will not be allowed in the
future.
Rev. ]. B. Merritt chaplain of Sea.
mans Bethel. assisted in the rescuing
and took several patients to his home.
The Norfolk physicians, as usual
were conspicuous for GOODNESS and
bravery.