Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-09-06
new STEAMER BURNS
The Urania, Which Succeeded
the Volunteer, Destroyed
at Muscatine.
PASSENGERS ARE LANDED SAFELY
Number From Rock Island-.Boat
TO be Rebuilt at
Once.

CHASED by Capt. Walter A. Blair to
take the place of the burned Volun-
teer in the Rock Island-Burlington
trade, was destroyed by fire last
night at the Muscatine shore while on
her way down stream.
The fire was discovered at 9 o'clock,
Just as the boat was about ready to
get under way. Capt. Walter A.
Blair was standing on the main deck,
when he heard a racket and thought
it was come Of the children aboard
racing through the cabin, but as he
ing forward, who breathlessly eX-
claimed that the boat was aolaZe. A
glance aft showed this to be true and
Immediately he sounded the alarm
for hose and buckets, the crew re-
spending readily to the call to battle
flames. Ali of the passengers were
apprised of the fire the first thing and
requested to take their belongings
with them and got off in good order.
Evidence of fright was apparent among
the ladies accompanied by small chill
dren, but their fear was soon allayed
and a panic was averted. all being
landed in safety. The crew rushed
bravely to combat with the fiery ele-
ment and never gave up, but their
best efforts were unavailing. as the
boat was soon a mass OF flames.
Though the flames had spread with
remarkable rapidity and completely
enveloped the upper part of the boat,
which looked like huge bonfire when
they arrived, the volunteer 1iremen
made their well directed efforts known
in a telling way, and in q short time
had the blaze under control, and with
in three-q uarters of an hour com plete-
ly extinguished. their good work saw
ing the hull, boilers, machinery and
cargo.
Boats Equipment Good.
I'm my experience of % years
steam boating, have never had $40
of damage by fire occur to any boat
directly in my charge" said Capt.
Blair last evening.
The fire equipment on the Urania
was unusually good and worked well,
but was unable to quench a lice revel-
ing in paint. oil and dry wood.
The company is not disheartened
and the Urania will be rebuilt and
made as good as new to resume her
place in the Rock Island-Burlington
trade as soon as possible.
The boat is insured in George w.
Neare's agency, of Cincinnati, the
amount of the policy being $12, 1000.
AS this is marine insurance, the in
surfing company, as is often the case,
may rebuild the boat, paying 60 per
| cent OF the cost, leaving the balance
to be borne by the owners"
Capt. Blair will remain in charge of
the wreck until the underwriters ar
rive to adjust the loss.
Urania a Model New Boat.
The steamer Urania was purchased
by Capt. Blair for the Carnival City
Packet company July 16. 1901, for
$17, 900, and repairs and improve
ments costing $12, 900 have been made
since then. The boat was bough.
from the Bay Bros, OF Ironton, Ohio,
and was built at Marietta only three
years ago last Novem Der. Capt.
Blair examined fully 100 boats on the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers before
selecting it, on account of its speed
| lightness of draft and fine passenger
accommodations. The boat has been
signal success since her first trip in
the trade. and the captain and crew
are much depressed over this serious
loss at this time. The boat is a sue
cessor to the Volunteer, burned and
sunk at Rock Island April 19, 1900,
entailing loss of $12 .000, so that
the burning of the Urania is the Sec
ond misfortune Detailing the COM
pany.
The Passenger List.
Among the 80 passengers on the
Urania was party of 10 ladies who
were making the round trip from
Keithsburg, Ill. Mrs. Peter Pfaf and
four children and Mrs. Louis Englin
and four children, of Rock Island,
were among the passengers and were
the only ones who had retired for the
night. They lost no time in dressing
when told the boat was afire, one of
the ladies in her haste forgetting to
put on her shoes, while a couple of
the children were likewise barefooted
when they reached the Hotel Grand.
The other passengers on the Inflated
craft were Mrs. Smith, who was re-
turning to her home in Burlington
from Davenport, and Mr.. and Mrs. l..
b. Miner, of Texas, who have been
visiting in Davenport.