The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-11-18

by the intense heat from the flames. La
ter volunteer crew from Peconnio
started out and stood by the burning hulk
waiting for the fire to burn itself out.
EXPLOSIONS FREQUENT
The fire continued to shoulder during the
forenoon and frequent explosions scatter
ed burning embers and clouds OF ashes
over the water.
-~The Mohawk was a comparatively new
steamer, having been built at Chostevx
Pa, In 1880. She was OF 2l50 net tons, 265
feet In length, 43 feet beam and 1873 feet
deep.
BROUGHT TO FALL RIVER.
Fall River. Nov. 1s.-The Fall River line
freight steamer Boston arrived at her
dock In this city shortly before 8 o'clock
today three hours late, having brought
the crew OF the Central Vermont railway
freighter Mohawk which they had taken
from the burning steamer In Long Island
sound during the night.
The Boston brought q persons from the
Mohawk including rs of the crew and two
women, wives OF officers OF the Mohawk
One man, the night watchman OF the
steamer, a Swede named Larsen, was lost
AS he was the person who should have
discovered the fire and as no report from
him was, received by the officers of the
ship. II Is supposed that he was over
come by the flames and burned to death.
The crew remained in Fall River but n
short time, taking a trolley train for
Providence. where they will remain until
a vessel IL secured to take the place Of
the burned Mohawk.
BURNING FURIoUsLY.
The Boston came up with the Mohawk
about 1890 this morning about q mile east
nf ha No axuL
about an hours run from New London,
her usual terminus The Mohawk was
stopped and was burning furiously for
ward. She signalled the Boston. which
ran up as close as possible and stood by
to give assistance.
a boat containing two women and MEM
bers of the crew put out almost imme-
diately after the Boston's arrival and the
women were placed safely on board the
Fall River line boat.
Those who came in the boat said that
the fire on the Mowhawk was discovered
by those In the pilot house shortly after
midnight 1t was pretty well forward and
the crew were at once sent TO their sta
tons to fight the flames.
The great heat. however. prevented
them from getting close to the blaze
which spread and steadily drove back
those who opposed II until the entire
vessel seemed doomed.
VAIN EFFORT.
Nevertheless the boat crew, which had
come TO the Boston, put back and re-
mained for nearly an hour still fighting.
but the effort was vain. and when IL was
seen that nothing further could be done
the members of the crew abandoned the
burning vessel going to the Boston In
two boats. AS they drew away Il was
seen that the Mohawk was ablaze from
end TO end. and shortly after they had
reached the Boston heavy explosion oc-
Cured on the Mohawk.
As she carried gasoene I'm her cargo.
t Is supposed that the flames had reached
that material The explosion seemed to
lift the deck and the smokestacks few
upward followed by n burst of fame and
dense columns OF black smoke Then the
flames leaped up TO a great height and
continued burning hercely. 1t was
apparent that no further purpose would
be served if the Boston remained by and
she resumed her course for Fall River.
The Mohawk left New York late yes
terday afternoon with one OF the heaviest
cargoes she had ever taken from the city.
Il including nearly 1000 barrels OF sugar.
a large quantity of baled rags besides oil
and gasolene. In fighting the fire none
OF the crew was hurt and everyone was
In readiness TO reship at Providence on
the steamer which will take the place OF
the Mohawk
The Mohawk was chartered by the Cen
trail Vermont company from the New
London Steamboat company. Those who
were on board OF her were unable TO esti-
mate her value or 10 approximate The
value OF her cargo.
New London. Conn. Nov. Is.-The local
office OF the New London Steamboat conf
pany. owners OF the freight steamer Mo-
hawk, has received notice OF the burning
OF the steamer. The tug Aquidneck has
been sent out from here TO find the hull
The only details received at the local
office thus far are that the Mogeham. a
sister steamer. passed the Mohaw four
miles west OF Cornhe6 lightship. the lat
ter apparently in good condition then.
The Mohawk reported that just after
passing Cornfield lightship about 1870
flames burst from the fore part Of the
steamer and quickly spread all over the
hold The captain and al the crew sx-
cept the bow watchman were saved