New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-22
CARGO ON FIRE ALL DAY
Monroe, 5cith IS Passengers, Comes
in Under Distress Signals.


Norfolk. came into port yesterday afternoon
with cotton aflre in the forward hold. There
were forty-six passengers on board The yes
sci came in flying signals telling of the fire, and
raced TO her pier, where she landed her passen-
gers. The fire boat New Yorker stood by while
the Monroe was warped into her berth. Later
the work Of getting out the cargo to allow the
hremen a chance to investigate was begun.
There was no sign Of fire and they had nothing
to do while this was going on,
About 5 a. m yesterday. while the Monroe
was off Atlantic City the bow lookout informed
Captain John. G. Hulphers that he had seen
smoke coming out Of the chain locker, which is
just above hold No /. At the same time the
men who had been forward at breakfast came
pouring out on deck. having seen the smoke
Captain Hulphers and Mate Crowley at once
started an investigation. They went down into
the hold and worked their way between the
cargo toward the fore compartment.
Twice the captain was overcome by the smoke
and had TO be taken from the hold. and the
second time there was call for a physician
The mate was also overcome re vas taken
from the hold by the men
After about half hours investigation the
CAPTAIN decided that the fire was in hold No. !.
which was filed with cotton and tobacco.
About 9. so Captain Hulphers went among the
passensers telling them of the fire. assuring
them that it was inclosed in steel compart-
rnent and that there was no danger of It's
spreading.
When the ship reached the Highlands tie
captain set his fire signals. He expected that
by the time he reached the city the freboat
would be in waiting. Word for some reason was
not sent. and it was not until the Monroes pas
sengers had been landed on the end Of the dock
that the freboat came steaming up the river.
Captain Hulphers was then confident that the
fire was under control
Among those on board was DR.. J. T Parker.
of Fnporiam Va He was in the saloon with
many Of the passengers when the captain
brought word that there was fire on board
he said that there was some excitement on the
part OF the more tinlid ones but that they
were soon quoted and that there was fur
Their excitement during the run from Atlantic
City TO the pier.
There was plenty Of smoke" said DR.. Par
ker but we had the captains promise that if
there was any danger he would put in near
the shore and land US. Captain Hulphers was
twice overcome by the smoke while trying to
find the blaze. When resuscitated he insisted
on keeping at his work. The fire caused great
inconvenience and understand that about II
o'clock II was under control There was no
cause 10 attempt the launching OF any of the
boats, but we We're all glad when the pier was
reached
" IL
ave. was also a passenger and he was one Of
those who attended the captain. He told of
the notice TO the passengers that there was
fire on board, and he said that there was IN
easiness over the announcement. but not ex-
element.
The probable cause Of the fire. which was
said 70 be in the cotton. was spontaneous COM
bustion.
The Monroe is the latest addition TO the Old
Dominion feet she has been in commission
about six months She has already met with
q number OF accidents After her first trip
she was Withdrawn, and il was said that the
company was forced take off the heavy
equipped. She was also damaged in a storm
while on her way TO Norfolk
II was O'Clock when the New-Yorker began
pumping water into the hold Of the burning
ship. As soon as the hatch was taken off
great clouds of smoke rolled up into the air.
The freboat sent water into the hold at the
rate Of 1900 gallons a minute. The water.
however in spite Of the immense quantity, ap-
peared TO make little impression on the flames,
for the fire kept raging in the hold
It was learned that there were 800 bags or
peanuts $50 bales of cotton. 800 bales of do
nestle sheathings and seventy-fve cases Of to-
bacco stored in the hold where the fire was.
Of the hold. Its dimensions are 1Sx40X60. The
smoke became 50 great that the hatch was
closed down, and men went into the hold TO
Go the best they could TO rescue some Of the
cargo. They could get very little Of il out, and
al all times were running risk of being over
come by the smoke.
The NeN-Yorker finally stopped pumping
water into the hold, and it was thought then
that the fire was under complete control. Smoke
stiu kept coming out in dense clouds whenever
the hatch was opened. however, showing that
there still was fire there