The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-11-21
A HARD FIGHT FOR LIFE
FIRE MENACES MAGAZINE ON
DESTROYER LAWRENCE.
Lieut.. Curtin and Five Seamen
Overcome in Heroic Fight to
Prevent Explosion in Midst
of Torpedo Flotilla at
Norfolk.

Norfolk, Va, Nov. 15.-The he
roism of Lieutenant Curtin and sew
eral seamen on board the torpedo
boat Destroyer Lawrence today
saved that craft from destruction.
A light candle left by workman
on a wooden box in the vessels for
ward compartment caused a fire
which burned much of the Law.
rence's woodwork before it was ex.
tinguished by Lieut.. Curtin and
and some seamen, just before the
flames reached the magazine, in
which alarge quantity of explosives
were stored.
In their battle against the flames
Lieut.. Curtin and five seamen were
so overcome by the smoke that they
lost consciousness after the fight
was won, and were hurried on
board the cruiser Olympia for treat
ment.
The fire occurred in stuffy COM
partment directly adjoining the
magazine and had gained consider
able headway when it was discov-
cred. The place was filled with a
dense smoke that baf1ed the efforts
of the crew and caused them to fall
helpless to the steel floor.
Time and again Lieut.. Curtin
dived into the fire chamber and e.
merged with the unconscious form
of a seaman in his grasp. After
hurried resuscitation the seaman
and his officer would return to the
fight only to again succumb to the
smoke.
finally the flames were extin-
|guished, and then the lieutenant
was missed. A tailor plunged into
the compartment, and a second Ia
ter came out with the limp body of
the officer in his arms.
Five seamen in similar condi-
ton were stretched out on the deck.
All were hurried on board of the
Olympia in dry-dock, and the sur
geons soon brought them to con-
sciousness. The damage to the
Lawrence was trihing.
The Lawrence is steel craft with
a displacement of 470 tons. She is
246 feet and 8 inches long over all,
and her locomotive force is 8,400|
horse. power. She was launched
November z, 1900, at Weymouth,
Mass, being christened by Miss
Ruth Lawrence, of New York,
daughter of Supreme Court Judge
Lawrence, and descendent of Cap
tain James Lawrence, for whom the
boat is named. The "Don't Give
Up the Ship" of Captain Lawrence
is historic.
The Lawrence accommodates a |
crew OF four officers and SO men.
Her speed is about 30 knots.
Certainly proclaimed John d. !
Daily last night, II am a member
of the state senate; certainly. Why
not2"
Mr.. Daily last year was reelected
to the senate from Benton coun ty
and soon after that body adjourned
last winter was appointed survey.
or-general of Oregon.
''And," went on Mr.. Daily, "Pll
occupy my seat in the legislature
unless the senate throws me out.
"Have I resigned from the senator
No. Nor will / resign before the
extra session. / wish to save Ben
ton county the expense of a special
election. Besides, in the haste and |
jumble of special election some
body might be chosen who amt fit
for the place. And he'd hold over
to the next regular session."
"But this isn't for publication;
understand? ?"
mot even for the people of B,n-
ton county?" was asked.
"Go ahead. Print all you like; l
don't care"
"Why can't I retain my seat in
the legislature when Senator Mulkey
has been drawing down $500 or
$4,000 year as president Of the
State Normal at Ashland? And
mines only 10-cent job, too."
just then State Senator Booth, [
Of Lane, hove in sight. After a
brief interchane Of "good evenings"
and "how-are. yous," Senator Da-
y launched forth on his discourse
again.
But" questioned Senator Booth, I,
will you sit also in the next regu-
ar session 10 19052"
ooh no." protested Mr.. Daily, s'ohl