The Washington times., 1906-02-01

work until at last he was carried away
unconscious.
The first hint at a cause for the fire
was mentioned by Captain Comstock
Of the fire underwriters patrol. early
this morning. who said that in his
opinion the fire was undoubtedly
caused by some one smoking among
the baggage and carelessly throwing
lighted cigar or cigarette among the
iniammable matter there. He also de-
clared that the fire started in the bag
gage and not IN the coal bunkers
Besides the large quantity Of ammu-
milton stored in the after compartment
OF the ship, several hundred rounds OF
shrapnel shots for the use OF the field
artillery were lying on the dock near
the vessel ready tc be loaded into the
hold. When the work OF loading the
vessel ceased last night, this was for
tunate; otherwise, this highly danger
Gus stuff would have been added 10 the
many dangers the fremen and crew or
the Meade had to face.
Some Acts of Heroism.
Perhaps pre-eminent in the ranks of
the heroes OF the fTe was J. NJ. Me
Closkey. of engine company No. 1,
striving TO his utmost with his fellows
I'm fighting the flames. He was over
come and carried 70 the dock. There ne
heard that his captain. behind whom
ne had fought so many other fires was
still In the hold, overcome by gas. and
I'm danger OF death. He staggered back
on hoard the Meade. although others
tried 10 restrain him, and at the foot
or the ladder which Chief Sullivan had
placed in the hatchway. leading into the
r.4-sH hold -
ooiling smoke. the bowed and still form
OF Captain Dakin. He went down into
the pit Of the acrid fumes with a rope
under his arms. bent at all hazards up
on bringing back his captain.
While the will fought 10 its utmost 10
overcome the danger put upon him by
The fumes. and flames. the struggle end
ed at the foot O.: that ladder, for Nc
ClOskeV dropped unconscious and al
most al the point OF death, His fellows
" mo saw his peril carried him out and
after him was the dead body OF the
man he had tried 10 save-CaptaiI
Dakln. or engine company NO.
Thwarted Death.
Deeds of thrilling heroism. marked
the fire. Sailing Capt George Wilson. OF
the Meade. fell down hatchway and
lay crippled and unconscious with an
injured shoulder, strangling 10 death
amid the acrid fumes of the sullenIy
burning lime. Chief officer Lassak and
others Of the crew threw themselves
down into the hold and managed be
tween them 10 struggle back out OF the
pit Of death bearing the still body of
the captain. who was borne TO a berth
out of the reach OF the flames and there
attended TO. Lassak was injured.
come after his injuries received in res
cuinE his captain. he in his turn was
rescued from death by Joe Cook. of
truck No ], and an unknown hero. both
Of whom took their lives in their own
hands in the gallant rescue.
Another Of the heroes of the occasion
was J. pam, or the United States Trans
port Service. who was overcome and in
Jured While trying 10 save Third Officer
Wallace from the fate that overlook
him. Wallace came from Sydney. Aus
tralia.
Chief Sullivan had opened a hatch
and let a long ladder down into the
hold. To this act of prudent foresight
was due me saving or the lives of many
If he had not done this the men over
come bS the fumes in the hold could /
not have possibly been rescued. as the
next hatch led into the heavily laden
coal bunkeTs.
The Dead and Injured.
= Following are the casualties up 10
date:
The dead.
Fire Captain Charles Dakin. Of Engine
Company, No. T.
Third Officer q. Wallace. OF the Meade
HCseman Thomas Henncsy. Engine
Company, No. 1.
The injured; Captain George Wilson.
OF the Meade. Battalion Chief Fernan-
deg, of the fire department, Lieut. John
Gilbert, 81 Engine Company No y, /
Sap.. ID; K. SeWell, of Engine Company.
No 20; Lieut. 4. Matiock of engine. No !
y, First Officer Lassak, Of the Meade; II
Dahl. OF The United States Transport |
Service. Louis Cook, truck. No 1. Ga
briei tuneo, fireman; Alexander Lack |
of the Meade's crew; Norris Fireman. OF /
The transport service II. j. McCloskey, |