The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-02-02
NAVY NYSTIFIED
BY FIRE ON MEADE
No Lime on Board TO Start
the Flames.
CAN'T GUESS FUMES CAUSE
Burned Transport Will Be Ready for
Sailing for Philippines by Next
Saturday.
CAN'T GUESS FUMES CAUSE

As there was no cargo of lime on the
transport Meade. which caught IRE In
the harbor OF San Francisco early yes
terday morning. officials OF the War
Department are mystified rs 10 the
origin OF the fire and the sufrocation
of the men and fire fighters that fol-
lowed
A thorough investigation Of the cause
of the disaster has been ordered. The
belief is expressed here that the flames
We're started either by "A match used IN
lighting a pipe or else matches having
been left in the pockets OF clothing
packed in the baggage.
Origin of Fumes Pulling.
This, however. would not account for
the fumes that arose from the hold and
caused a score of fremen and twice as
many soldiers and members of the
} ships crew to be carried out in suffo-
eating condition. Two Of the deaths re-
suited from suffOcation.
Two dispatches We're received at the
offices of Quartermaster General
Humphrey just before cIosi a. time yes
terday afternoon. both from Major W
p. Devol. superintendent OF the trans
port service at San Francisco. The first
was a. follows:
No lime on vessel No. ? hatch filed
with troop baggage of the Second In
fantry. SO far, not one in ten touched
! by flre. Fire area small, ana confined
10 starbOaTd side Of forward hatch. All
property in this hatch damaged by
water. VIII have all out by night.
Captain Wilson injured by falling down
hatch; overcome by gas.
Repaired by Saturday.
The second message follows:
mo. 2 hatch on Meade partially un-
loaded. Damage by water only. Appar-
emily no injury 10 ship. Think Meade
can sail by Saturday noon. Board ap-
pointed 10 view freight as taken from
hold 10 ascertain. if possible. cause OF
FIRE. Captain Wilson in hospital. Rec
ommend appointment Of another mas
ter"
Captain Wilson was sailing master Of
the Meade. and as his injuries are OF a
serious nature, General Humphreys has
designated that Capt A. II Walton. OF
the transport Warren, now at San Fran
cisco. take charge Of the Meade on this
trip out. Captain Wilson had been in
charge OF the transport service at
Mia for several years, and he had
e returned 10 the States 10 take COM
I'D OF the Meade
Further advices concerning the Meade
r-eived this morning at the Office of
o.. eral AinswOrth military secretary,
FUSED General Humphrey to wire in
sactions to Major Devol 10 delay the
SatllS OF the vessel; until February 10.
nus order was given on the strength
OF report from Brig Gen. Frederick
Funston, in command of The Department
of California, which was filed at AIS
O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
Word From Funston.
General Funston wired as follows:
THE superintendent OF the army
transport service reports that the
Meade. so far as the ship herself is con
ceTued, can sail at noon Of the Sd in
slant l recommend that the sailing be
delayed til noon OF February 10 in
order 20 allow the officers baggage and
company property now being taken from
the flooded compartment 10 De dried
and sorted over Otherwise, heavy per
sonal loss Will fail upon the officers,
as the baggage and other property can
not be dried By the Sd Damage 70
property more from water than from
FIRE"
General HUM hrey was cDnsidera bly,
interested in the earlier reports that
nearly 800 barrels OF lime were being
shipped On the Meade the fire in which
caused the suhoCating fumes. The
shipping Of lime cement. or other COM
bustble or highly inhammable material
on an army transport long ago was
ruled against. General Humphrey said
the shipment Of lime 20 the Philippines
WIS most unreasonable, anyway, for IL
could be bought in Manila at a lower
inquire than il could at San Francisco.