The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1904-12-17
MINNESOTA
HOODOOED
Confined from Page ons)

NAWANAAN AfaA NENEH ANt
struggle for supremacy waa kept
up uiEht and day However. the
flames seemed 20 grow fercer and
more stubborn and for time
there appeared great danger that
the steamship would never make
another voyage. Some Of her plates
grew red-hut The fire threatened
TO breaf out IN the cargo. Much 81
the burning coal had 90 b. ietti-
sonsd. and about a week before
Coronel. the coal port Ia south
srn Chile. was reached. the flames
were eNtiuEuiahed and all hands
breathed easier
But before Cerouei Was made
there were other troubles aboard
II is reported that tho Minnesota
had a narrow escape of Cape 81.
Rogue. on the northern coast Of
Brazil Here the boilers we're found
defective and Il was necessary TO
shut down the engines There vas
a strong current into the shore. but
under the sklliful handling ~ Cap
tain TruebfiaRs the great ship was
anchored In time 20 prevent her
drifting cato the beach. She lay
there for two DAYS until temporary
repairs were made
II was but n few days later when
u was apparent that further repairs
10 the boilers Wers needed. and as
a result the Minnesota put Into
Bahia. where fresh water was Sc
cured and aix days we're spent In
patching the detective parts. Then
she proceeded wtth the voyage.
However. the te Miciaure water
tube boilers continued 10 give Of
Tense. and when the big liner put
into Coronei further patching was
necessary. Twelve days we're spent
In this port. where a supply OF
Chilean coal. replacing that which
rad been burned. VAS taken aboard.
II was only -four days after sail
ing from Coronel when Il was
found that a roaring furnace was
raging IN the buukera again, and
once more the crew was compelled
TO fight fire in order 10 save the
vessel For a time the outlook was
serious. some Of the plates on the
huh outside we're Tedhot and
ahrunk. beams we're twisted BY the
great heat. and Il was a trying eN-
periencs for all on board. After two
DAYS OF nerve raekinE suspense. the
blaze was under control, although
much coal had to be thrown over
board. The fight with fire was
continued until about a week before
the Minnesota reached San Fran
cisco.
n is believed that many Of the
mates will have TO be replaced.
Bearna are twisted all shapes in
the bunksrH and plate buckled. II
Is possible that the steamship may
be sant into drydock. n ~ likely
the repairs will be made on Puget
sound.
n Is claimed that the cause 81
the fires Is the proximity Of the
bunkers 10 the boilers. due 10 faulty
construction. Members Of the crew
say the floor plates are 50 close TO
tho boilers that the temperature -
often 200 degrees or moro and that
n would set any coal on fire there.
In the midst of the long struggle
With the burning coal some OF the
crew became almost mutinous. In
the fire room where the heat from
the bunkers was added 10 that from
the furnace. the temperature was
almost unbearable. At one time
the coal pasaers. who are nearly all
oreeka and gpauiarda. fatty re-
fused 10 work. Several ~ them
were placed in irons. This had a
galutary effect upon the others and
they finally concluded TO return to
their tasks.
During the trip there was much
bad feeling between Third officer
Paul G. grenning and Quartermas-
ter Henry Larsen. At about 4
o'clock one morning. when Gren-
ming held the bridge. he ordered
Larsen 10 read the log The quar-
termaster returned with a reading
that Grenning said be knew was in
correct. so the officer sharply told
Larsen 20 20 again and bring the
correct Information.
II won't do II" the quartermaster
f. asserted to have replied.
"I'Ii make you do IT," n said 10
have been GrenninR'a reply.
A fight followed and Fourth OF
ficer John Duffy went TO GrenninR'a
farsen's face. II IL
wes beaten 10 n pulp.
When the steafnshlp reached this
port. Larsen swore out a warrant
harging Creuning and Duffy with