The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-06
HER CARGO
in A BLAZE
German Steamship Erica
Races for Norfolk Harbor.
FIRE is STILL RAGING
Wharf Owners Fear to Let Vessel Come
Alongside--Strike at Shlpyards.
Collision During Dense Fog.
Seaboard Meeting.
FIRE is STILL RAGING
Especial to The Times plspatch.)

Y
for Liverpool with 1890 bales of cotton
put into this port this evening with her
cargo ablaze. The fire was discovered
while the ship was 1856 miles east, SOUTH
cast of Cape Henry, Captain Richmann
Immediately battened down all matches
and turned steam into the matches.
AS the vessel passed the capes she
slgnalled her plight and tugs were swift
ly dispatched to her relief. She was
brought into port where she now is with
the fire still in her. The wharf owners
and the city authorities alike are afraid
to permit her to come alongside the city
wharves to discharge her cargo. Steam Is
still on the cargo, and 1t is probable that
1t will be necessary to keep 1t on all
night as the fire appears to be al in the
lower layers Of cotton. The cargo will
be lightered ashore II the ship is still de-
MED the wharf. The cook, Stewart, was
overcome by smoke and was rescued from
the hold with difficulty by wire. He
will live, however.
The Erica was two days out from Will
mington when the fire was first discover
ed. She had thrilling race for life to the
Virginia Capes. Her engines were pushed
to the utmost to make port before the
entire cargo was ignited, the ship being
loaded to her decks, and even the cabins
being filled with cotton, Captain. Rich
mann says 1t will be impossible to esti-
mate the damage to ship or cargo until
the blazing cargo Is taken out.
The Erica is in charge of the German
vice-Consul Colonel William Lamb. She Is
from Hamburg and is owned by N. Jep.
SEN. She is OF 1,2M tons register.
WANT. AN INCREASE.
The shipWrights, calkers and joiners
have struck in two shlpyards here for
an increase OF from $3.50 to STD per
diem. One yard granted the increase
and Its force is still at work. One days
time was given the employers.
Taylor's shipyard, in Norfolk. and ".
e. Thomas & Companw. In Berkeley, are
holding out against the demand.
The three colonna shipyards are I'M
affected by the demands of the men.
During the dense fog this morning the
Norfolk and Portsmouth ferry steamer
Superior crashed into the tug Katie. Of
the Lambert's Point Tow Boat Conn
her deck. The ferry steamer was unln-
jured.
Owing to the difficulty Of anavigation,
both boats were proceeding under greatly
reduced speed.
There will be a meeting Of the Sea-
board and Roanoke Railway Company's
directors and stockholders held In this
city Tomorrow. No meeting Of the sea-
board Air Line Railway has been called.
however, and none is expected to be
held. y. -,ssf!s,
At the general offices OF the system to-
day 1t was stated that the meeting OF the
Seaboard and Roanoke has absolutely
no Significance, and that no effort will
at this time be made to perfect Its merger
with the remainder OF the Seaboard sys-
tenn, of which it Is at present most
important actual physical part. although
il has never been legally merged with
the other properties The meeting Will.
in all probability, be adjourned until
later date.
It is understood that the actual merger
of the Seaboard and Roanoke, which was
formerly the parent road OF the big Sea-
board system, is held up by COMPARE
lively small interest, and that this VIII
scarcely be acquired In time to effect any
merger at this years annual meeting.
RELEASE DEEDS; FILED.
The release deeds. accomplishing the
dissolution OF the street railway interests
OF the Williams syndicate and the house
of Alexander Brown and Sons. Of Balu-
more. went to record to-day in the clerks
office of the Norfolk County Court.
They were filed by Judge D. Tucker
Brooke, counsel Cor w. ]. Payne, preSl.
dent of the Peninsula roads, which drew
out of the Norfolk. Portsmouth and New
port News Company.
The deeds are from the Richmond Trust
and Safe Deposit Company, and release
the property and securities pledged under
a deed OF trust to secure an Issue Of two
million dollars of income bonds, issued
June 30. 1902.
The consideration named In the release
deed Ia five dollars and "the premises,
This deed releases to their former owners
the securities controlling the Newport
News and Old Point Railway and Elec-
trio Company and the Consumers Light,
GAG and Ice Company. of Newport News,
No mention Is made In the deco of the
Norfolk and Atlantic Terminal Company,
another OF the Brown properties which
withdrew from the Williams syndicate,
but which has been for some time past
in the hands OF its former owners. The
reason for this Is that the securities con-
trolling this property were never actually
in possession of the Norfolk. Portsmouth
and Newport News Company. hut were
retained by the banking house OF Alexan-
der Brown and Sons. In Baltimore. When
their property reverted to them under the
terms OF the tentative consolidation,
therefore, no return OF securlties was
necessary.
The Williams Company still retains
100000 interest in the Newport News and
OLD Point Railway. These securities were
secured outside the terms Of the deed of
trust, and are exempted from Its pro-
visions. There will be Immediately turned
over to tho owners of the Pennsylvania
lines 1926 shares OF the common capital
stock OF this company, representing the
absolute ownership, and to the Consum-
ers' Light, Gas and Ice Company s45o.oo0
of it's shares, The deed will be recorded
in Norfolk and Newport News, In War
wick county and In Elizabeth City county.
ALLEGED IRREGuLARITY.
The grand jury Of the Corporation Court
was to-day asked to investigate the all
legged illegal registration n the Second
alleged to have heen colonlzed. The
grand Jury will meet tomorrow to con-
slider the charges. and many newspaper
clippings touching the situation Will be
in evidence.
Governor Montagues acceptance of the
t,,,it.tion aytendad him tn a!tand the