The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-02
s LIVES LOST IN
TRANSPORT IRE
Ship Was to Have Sailed With
1000 Soldiers for Manila
Yesterday.
PLOT TO BLOW UP THE. MEADE.
Rumor OF Incendiarisn Not Con-
firmed--Heroic Work OF
Fire Fighters.
PLOT TO BLOW UP THE MEADE
CBy Associated Presso

SAN FRANCISCO, February 1.-Three
lives were lost and many persons were
injured in fire which was discovered
late last night In the hold of the United
States transport Meade. The transport
was to have sailed for Manila to-day
with more than 1000 soldiers and cargo
of 1900 tons of army supplies. The ves-
sci is lying at the Folsom Street dock.
The fire was not entirely extinGuished
until this morning.
The property loss caused by the nrs
which destroyed nearly all the personal
effects OF the officers of the outgoing
regiment is $1,000 The damage to the
steamer itself will not exceed 5000 The
Meade will probably sail for Manila Sat
urday.
The cause of tho freis not known, al
though many theories have been ad-
vanced Major Devol. chief OF the
transport service here, is making a
thorough investigation.
Plot to Blow Up Ship.
4 rumor that the fire might have been
the result of a plot to blow up the Meade
has found no confirmation.
Immediately, after the alarm was given,
Captain Wilson, Third Officer Wallace
and Fourth officer Dahl were notified
and proceeded to investigate. They de-
scended to the first hold, where they
found the cargo on the starboard side or
the vessel burning under slow fire. and
the hold choked with smoke.
The captain fell limp and Wallace and
Dahl picked him up and carried him to
his cabin, where the ships surgeons
with great difficulty revived him.
Wallace and Dahl again descended 70
the second hold after directing that an
alarm OF fire be sent in from the wharf.
Both were carried to the deck by 1irs-
men, but Wallace soon died.
1t required the united efforts of many
engine companies, aided by the fire tugs
on the bay to subdue the fire.
The ammunition was stored in compart-
sment No. g. next to the last on the boat,
while the fire began In No. compart-
ment. we'll; forward The flames, however,
at 2 O'Clock this morning, cut through No.
3 compartment and No. and ate their
way towards the hold, where the ex-
plosives were stored. Then Captain WI
son. who was lying unconscious In the
cabin, was carried ashore and sent TO
the llarbor hospital He was suffering
from bad burns in addition to his In
jured shoulder.
Saved the Gold.
Eighty ,thouand dollars in gold, being
carried as military treasure to Manila.
was rescued from the ship and guarded
by. soldiers Lines of soldiers also guarded
the entrance to the dock.
Captain Dakin lost his life because of
his daunuess courage in fighting the fire.
His body was found at the foot OF a
ladder. 1t is thought he may have been
drowned in the hold, 10 the action of
Acting Ehief Sullivan in opening a
hatch and letting q long ladder down
into tho hold, is due the saving of the
lives of many; The men overcome in the
hold. could not otherwise have been res
icued, as the next hatch led into the
heavily laden coal bunkers. %
Captain Gilbert, Of the fire department.,
was carried away unconscious.
Fireman cC,loskey was overcome by
smoke and carried out, but revived and
made n heroic attempt to save his chief,
/ Captain Dakin. 80. th9 M "