Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-31
FACE DEATH IN HOLD.
Entire Fire Company Answers Cap
tain's Call for Volunteers.

New York, Aug. 30-Every fireman
in Engine Company No. 10 volunteered
to face death yesterday. On deserted
pier in the East River they lined up
before their captain and shouted that
they would follow him. The captain
wanted two men to so with him into
the hold of burning ship. With that
demand he faced a great difficulty.
All the firemen insisted they should
be chosen for the task. Each man i'm
plored his captain to pick him for the
gamble with death. The two chosen
went to their work cheering in tri-
umph, the men rejected turned to their
less dangerous duties with disappolnt-
ment in their faces. But the froWns
soon disappeared. Deep down IN the
ship the three men were made uncon-
scious by fumes. They were rescued
| by their comrades, but before the cap
tain, the last of the three, was placed
in an ambulance, ten men had been
overcome.
The Dutch bark Amsterdam caught
| fire in the hold soon after noon. She
was lying far out alongside Pier No. T.
ana Engine Company No. 10 was first
| to answer the alarm. The company
was in command of Captain William B.
! Collins.
The firemen were informed an eX-
plosion might occur at any moment, as
there We're 500 barrels of petroleum
and $50 of turpentne in the hold. Thick
yellow smoke was pouring up tht
hatchways, and Captain Collins de-
cided the fire must be fought below
decks He ordered his men to the pier
Then he said:
Boys, | want two men to go with
me down in that hold. 1t looks like
death, and l don't want to command
you. Will any OF you volunteer"
Every man stepped forward. Collins
acted quickly. Leaping back to the
ship, he called to Edward Dolan ant
| William Halpin to follow him. Selling
a line of hose, the three men Went
down the steep ladder into the hold
Captain Collins attempted to turn or
the water, but before he could twis
the nozzle he fell unconscious. The
other men picked up the hose, but in 8
moment they fell upon the body o.
their leader.
When the hose showed no signs o
working the men above became
| alarmed. Shouts brought no answer
from the hold. Then a half dozen fire
men scrambled down. Others strung
themselves along the ladder, and onc
by one the three unconscious men were
passed up to the deck
The rescuers were partly overcome
by the fumes, and after they had strug
gled to the pier all fell from weakness
An ambulance took Collins, Dolan anC
Halpin to the Old Slip police station
Surgeons worked over the other men
who revived quickly after getting int
the open air.
Battalion Chief Kruger would not lie
another man set foot on the ship. The
Amsterdam was cut loose by the mel
of the firebcats Zophar Mills and Viii
liam I. Strong. Hawsers We're fas
tened to the ship and she was toweC
into midstream. Here great streams o
water We're poured into the hold by tn
fireboats, ana after the fire had beef
eXtinguished the ship was beached OIL
the Jersey flats.
1t was not known how the fire start
ed. The crew was eating dinner in thu
| fOrecaStle when a man on deck saw
| smoke coming through a hatch. H
gave the alarm and all the men lief
the ship. Captain Baker and his wifi
followed them a minute later. Captain
Collins, Dolan and Halpin will not b
fit for duty for several days. 1t wa
two hours before they regained con
seriousness, end then DR.. Batcheller 0
Gouyerneur Hospital ordered that the,
be taken to their homes.
The Amsterdam is owned by Huy
gems & Co. of Amstermdam, who are
represented here by Vernon H Brow
& Co. Apart from the petroleum AM
turpentine the ship carried larg'
amount of cut glass. The loss is est
mated at 100000, although part of tn,
cargo may be saved.