Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-11-24


we learn that the steamer S. v. Lucken-
bach entered that harbor October 2ol
with big fire blazipg in her hold. II
Among the passengers was Mr., Geo. 3.
Goetz Of Charles Town. representative of
the Goctz Harness Works Of this place,
which does large West Indian and
South and Central American trade. For
four days the vessel had been speeding
toward her destination with the steamer
Philadelphia acting as convoy and
standing ready to take aboard her pas
sengers If the hre1hreatened the destruc-
ton of the Luckenbach. The fire was
discovered by the chief engineer in the
forward hold, and the captain had every
officer and man of the ship at once called
to duty. The sleeping passengers. the
majority of whom occupied state rooms
close to where the fire was supposed to
be, were awakened and advised of what
was happening. But they were assured
that they need not be alarmed as there
was no danger OF calamity. The pas
sengers became somewhat uneasy. per-
haps due to the sensations produced by
such novel and dangerous experience,
but they soon regained their composure.
Orders were given to make ready all
boats, and provisions were brought out
to be placed in the boats should it become
necessary to abandon the ship. With
such preparations the passengers were
Gained. Officers. engineers and crew
were then set to work to extinguish the
fire. The burning hold could not be
reached because Of the filed coal bunkers
which were located next to it. he only
other point of access was through the
hatch, but this carried with it great
danger, that of letting in a draught which
would fan the blaze and cause con-
fagration. The men fought the fire I'M
| der closed matches but this had to be
abandoned, as no advance could be
| made The FIRE spread toward the coal
bankers and the ship was confronted by
a real danger. The officers and men went
in where the smoke was densest to get
at the fire and pump water on the blaze,
but the smoke choked and asphyxiated
them and many had to be carried out by
their companions and revived. All the
steam that could be taken from thai
necessary to generate the engines and
propel the ship. was let into the hold
| The deck over the fire was drilled and
water was pumped in. All day Monday
and during the night, until Tuesday. no
a man closed an eye. The men in gang:
Icombatted the fire as far as it was pos
sible to reach. Water was constantly
poured on the floors to prevent then
from burning, all the wood ON the decl
land of the state rooms swelled unde
the great heat and the humidity was 81
thigh that it was impossible to stay ther,
but few minutes. On Tuesday, Captain
Mclean felt that the fire was under con
troll although it could not be extinguishet
until they reached San Juan. Cots wer'
placed on the promenade deck, where
the travellers disposessed from their low
Ter berths. slept. A temporary dining
Iroom was also installed there, and il
this maner the voyage was made. I'm
-diatelly after discovering the fir
signals of distress were hoisted and at
a. m. Monday the Philadelphia was sight
ed. She soon came alongside ant
captain Crockett was informed of tn
fire. Captain Crockett offered at one
te act as convoy until San Juan wa
REACHED. A set of resolutions wer,
adopted by the passengers highly lauda
tory of the untiring devotion to duty
complete selfforgetfulness, conummat
bravery. perfect ganization, intelligence
and discipline of the officers and crew 0
he Luckenbach. and our fellow-towns
nan MIR. Geo. B. Goetz was made chair
nan of committee to prepare an en-
crossed copy of the same and forward
% Capt. Wren Mclean as the represent
tive of said officers and crew
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