Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-19
Capt. Lewis Safely Brings
His Steamer to Port
Through Dense Fog and With
Fire Raging in Cargo.
Steamer Kansas Cit's Lifeboats al Davits
Passengers Wild With Fear.

New York, June 1S.-With fire rag
ing i'm the forward compartments OF her
hold and every lifebo"t manned and
ready to be swung t. the water, the
savannah Line steamer Kansas City
raced from Sandy Hook to her pier at
the foot of Spring street and the North
river. Saturday forenoon. Although
dense fog hung over the bay between
Sandy Hook and the Battery, Capt.
Lewis, with remarkable GOODNESS and
daring, brought his ship and her so
passengers safely to her cock.
The Kansas City left Savannah,
Wednesday, and was due to reach her
pier about 9, Saturday morning. She
had big cargo of wateimelOns, pine
apples, cotton and machinery. About
midnight last night, when the ship was
just outside Sandy Hook fog so dense
that the pilot could not see ships
length ahead settled down. Fearing IN
attempt to enter the harbOr, the snip
was anchored to await the lifting of
the fog.
Shortly before I, Saturday morning.
the lookout at the bow discovered
smoke coming from one O. the forward
ventilators About the same time pas
senger in one of the forward state
rooms was awakened by the oppressive
heat. He put his hand to the floor, but
hastily withdrew it. The floor was
nearly at red heat.
Capt. Lewis was hastily summoned
and an examination showed the fire to
be located in the cotton stored in the
forward compartments. The steamer
is provided with modern fire fighting
apparatus and the compartments were
Immediately flooded with steam.
While this was being done the crew
| went among the passengers to awaken
them and warn them of the danger
The fog hiding the shore from sight
and the knowledge that the boat was
on fire, soon created q panic among
the women and children. All efforts OF
| the crew to allay their fears failed.
When they saw the crew prepare the
lifeboats for instant use their alarm
was increased and many of the women
became hysterical. The men passengers
| did all they could to reasSure the others
but it was not until the boat was made
| fast to the dock that quiet was re-
stored.
Capt. Lewis, notwithstanding the
risk, ran as close as he could to Sandy
| Hook and signalled the observer there
of his danger. Word was Immediately
sent to New York, and the fire boats
George 3. Mcclellan and Abram 5.
Hewitt went to meet the incoming YES
sci. The two firebOats were Joined by
police patrol beat just inside the quar-
| antine station. With the three boats
| following close in her wake the Kansas
City rushed to her pier where she dis
| charged her passengers.
AS soon as the boat arrived an alarm
of fire was turned in and three engines
and hose companies, under command
| of battalion Chief Larkins and Guering.
took charge of the boat. AS much of
| her cargo as possible was unloaded OH
| the dock and then the compartments
where the cotton was still smOldering
were flooded.
]. G.. Horton. general manager of the
| line. said the damage had been confined
| entirely to the cargo.
| "The ship was not injured in the
least" said Mr.. Horton. 1.-THE prompt
ness of Capt. Lewis in flooding the COM
partments saved great part of the
cargo and prevented any injury to the
ship. His bravery in bringing the boat
| through the fog was remarkable.