New-York tribune., 1902-03-26
CAUGHT IN FIERY FURNACE.
THE CREW or OIL STEAMER BURNED
At SEA HAVE NARROW ESCAPE.

The crew of the Philadelphia Oh steamer Ma
jor Barrett which burned off the coast
Of North Carolina a few days ago reached this
city Yesterday from Baltimore. where they were
landed by the Savannah liner New-Orleans
which picked them up. All had a narrow escape
with their lives, and some Of them still sut-
fering from severe burns. They toll a vivid
story Of tho tcrrors Of fire upon oil laden
vessel They lost all their effects. and have
made demand upon the company for an al
lovance for clothing If this is not granted.
they will sue for damages. on the ground that
the fire was the result Of the company's negli-
gence.
Il have followed the sea for fifteen years and
have been through some thrilling experiences,
but never one like this" said Granville Thomp-
son. of No. 544 West Fifty hrst-st. who was
assistant engineer on the i'll fated steamer. The
Barrett was veritable fire trap, and the only
wonder is that all OF us did perish miser-
ably. We knew that the tanks We're leaking
soon after leaving New York. In fact, they had
leaked on the previous trip. She was wooden
ship which increased the danger We simply
trusted in luck and steamed away the voy-
age
"On Cape Hatteras We caught a storm which
tossed the steamer about and caused the tanks
t. leak stiIl more. There was an inch of oil in
the bilgc and had to build dam of clay
10 Keep II from running INTO the uItIboll &c
casionally when the ship would roll the oil
would splash over the dam, but by great care
we kept it from catching fire. 1t like work
ing in the crater Of a volcano which is likely
to become active at any moment.
AT o'clock Saturday morning. when the ship
was running ten miles off the coast and almost
opposite Rodies' Island, the eruption came. 1
was on watch in the engine room when I was
suddenly startled by loud explosion. 1t came
by a burst Of flame from the tank amidships.
After sounding the alarm for the purpose Of
waking the sleeping officers and crew, | tried
TO get out Il hose and turn a stream Of water
on the fire Before anything could be done.
however. the flames broke into the engine room.
7 did not have time to stop the engines and was
badly singed before | reached the deck. With
hull all ablaze she continued to rush through
the sea which made it more difficult for us to
launch the boats Fortunately, no sea was run
ming and We finally got away safely although
the decks were as hot as furnace plates before
we left her.
AN hour after the fire started the steamer
sank leaving a lake Of burning oil on the water
to mark the spot This blazed for several hours
We kept as near the fire possible thinking
that II would attract some vessel. 1t was not
long before the New-Orleans was sighted com
ing from the south. and picked up. The
crew divided their clothes with our men. most
Of whom escaped in nothing but their under
clothes"
Otis Smith and August Schribler, flremen on
the Barrett. both of Hoboken. were severely
burned. A. s. Bragg. first officer. of No So
Vests this city. was dragged out of his ca bin
bv one Of the sailors after having nearly suffo-
ca ted II +. Small, chief engineer of Boston
fell in trying to reach a lifeboat, and paraIyzed
one side.
The Barrett was built in 1900 by Neahe &
Lew Of PHILADELPHIA and was owned nv the
Barrett manufacturing COMPANY Of that CITY
She was chartered by the National Oil Com
pany. The vessel was insured for $4,000