The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-02-09
PLOT TO Destroy THE BIG SHIP.
Fears That Blaze Would Explode
Ammunition.

San francisco Especially Three men
were killed and IS injured, mostly by
sufocation, in hre that damaged the
United States transport Meade to the
extent of $4,000 as she lay at the Folsom
Street pier.
For three hours after midnight the for
ward hold of the big troopship was a suf-
locating furnace. from which fremen
were borne in an almost continuous
stream Relays of men promptly stepped
forward to take the places of those who
were carried out unconscious.
Tons of high explosives were loaded
IN the afterpart of the vessel, and the
tircmen worked with the possibility ever
before them that the flames would reach
this compartment
Owing 10 the fact that an Internal
machine was found in the bunkers of
the transport Thomas OH her last voy-
age, the rumor was circulated that plot
had been laid to fire the Meade at sea.
as she was to have departed for Manila
Thursday. Major c. A. Devol, chief of
the transport service, is investigating this
theory with great care.
A thousand pieces OF baggage were
ruined. Trunks, boxes and barrels were
watersoakcd or burned. Wearing APP
parel and household furnishings were
ruined. One officer places the damage
to personal effects at $4,000 The yes
sci is not seriously injured
The fact that the vessel was on fire
was first discovered by painter OH the
main deck He rushed to Master-at-
Arms Morris, who gave the alarm and
aroused Sailingmaster Wilson.
Deeds OF heroism marked the fire.
Capt George Wilson, of the Meade. fell
down hatchway and lay crippled and
unconscious with an injured shoulder
and nearly strangled from the fumes of
burning lime
Chief Operator Lassak and others of
the crew threw themselves down into
the hold and managed TO struggle back
out of the death pit bearing Wilson, who
was removed to berth out of reach Of
the flames. Lassak himself was rescued
from death by Joseph Cook, of Truck
No. 1, and an unknown man, both of
whom took their lives in their hands.
J. H. Dale, of the United States Trans
port Service, was overcome and injured
while trying in vain to save Third Off
GER Wallace
The forepart of the ship, where the
fire broke out, contained the personal eff
fects of the officers of the Second Infan-
try and of the Eighth and Thirteenth
Batteries of Light Artillery, and the loss
of property was confined to this part of
the vessel.
. The fear of an explosion prevailed, but
this did not deter the fremen, though
they knew there was large quantity
of ammunition on board The ammuni-
ton was stored in compartment No. 6,
next to the last on the boat, while fire
began in No. compartment, well for
ward.
The flames, however, cut through No.
5 compartment and No. a, and were
eating their way TO the hold, where the
explosives were stored The utmost en-
ergies of those in charge were directed
toward flooding this compartment and
cutting it off by volume of water from
the encroachment of the flames.
When it was seen that the flames were
eating their way aft Captain Wilson,
who was lying injured and unconscious
in a berth in the cabin, was carried
ashore and sent to the harbor hospital
Eighty thousand dollars in gold, be-
ing carried as military treasure TO Ma
nilla, was rescued from the ship and
guarded by soldiers. Lines of soldiers
also guarded the entrance to the dock.