The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-24
ENGINEERS AND
F|REMEN PROVE
THEY ARE HEROES

Halifax Ms, Dec. 2i-The heroism OF
the engineers and fremen OF the steamer
Strathcona, who. like "Jm Bludsoe. .
made famous by the late John Hay. stuck
10 their posts until the steamer was
beached, resulted in the saving OF the
lives of $50 passengers at Port Dufferin,
90 miles east OF this city when the vessel
was destroyed by fire.
The Strathcona was owned by the Hall
fax and Canso Steamship company, ana
was bound from this port for Canso and
GuysbOro. Tie steamer called also at a
number of small harbors along the shore.
The Strathcona LETT here Saturday even
Ing under command OF Capt Reid. Most
OF the $50 passengers were returning 10
their homes along the east coast after
dew days OF Christmas shopping In Hall
fax. A few hours after leaving port fire
was discovered ia the after hold. Despite
the efforts OF the officers and crew the
flames spread rapidly and In brief time
the ocean for miles around was iilumi-
mated by the burning vessel
When the cry of "hre" was raised the
widest confusion prevailed The passen-
gers. most OF them clad only In their
night clothes. rushed on deck and made
a dash for the lifeboats, but the crew
prevented IA panic. The boats were not
launched, but were made ready for use
ia case the flames completely enVeloped
the steamer before land could be reached.
The terror-stricken passengers were
huddled together in The bow OF the snip,
nearest place on the treacherous coast
where the steamer could find harbor.
While the Strathcona was driven toward
land and az top speed, the sailors tried 70
night back the flames with streams or
water The draft caused by the steam
er's rapid progress famed the names
into greater fury, and In short time the
entire after portion OF the vessel was on
lire.
Down in the engine room the engineers
and iiremen stuck bravely To their posts,
although the flames had begun TO sur
round them. Not until the Keel or the
steamer granted on a reef mile from the
entrance OF the harbor did they abandon
their dangerous positions and rush TO the
deck.
The steayer had kept her heading un-
I'll she reached the reef of Smileys
Point Then the boats were lowered and
all OF the passengers, together with the l3
members OF the crew, found safety on
shore.
The Strathcona was only two years old
and was a vessel OF 200 tons. In addition
TO the passengers, she carried Iull Beii-
eral cargo OF supplies and Christmas
goods for delivery at various points along
the east coast. She was valued a. SA,WO
and was fully insured.
Not long ago the Strathcona ran into
and sank the sealing steamer Havana In
Halifax harbOr, and was condemned 10
pay $4,000 damages
Many of the passengers were students
from Dalhousie university, Halifax, VINO
were on their way To spend Christmas
with their relatives, and they say that
the discipline of the crew equalled thar
of any ocean liner They state that lr-
win. the second engineer. was the last
man 20 leave the stoke hold and that he
was almost unconscious when he reached
the deck, having had 10 hght his way
through dense smoke, which was pouring
from the exit Before he left his post he
arranged everything below so as to pre-
vent the boilers from exploding
Capt Reid remained on deck directing
the operations OF the crew I'm lighting tho
flames and he was the last man 70 step
over the side Of the burning ship. The
passengers lost their effects.