The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-11-22
Gallant Captain Masters Sit
uation While Flames De-
stroy His Ship.
ALL ON BOARD ARE SAVED
MADE " POSSIBLE FOR THE
WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO GET
INTO LIFE BOATS.

Los Angeles, Cal, Nov. 22.-The
passengers and crew OF the steamship
ST. Croix, of the Schubach- Hamilton
Line, after miraculous escape from
death, camped Saturday night in
houses and barns on the Malibu
Ranch, % miles north of Santa Mcni-
ca and a short distance from Point
Duma, where the vessel was burned
to the waters edge Saturday after.
noon.
The fire started In the ships ell
CINE room at noon while the passen-
gers and officers were at dinner No
notice was given the passengers ut
first. as 1t was believed that the
flames could be checked.
While flames were issuing from all
parts of the vessel and when it was
no longer safe to attempt to save
the ship, Captain Warner, of the ST.
Croix, swung over his ships side into
a waiting boat below. the last man
to leave the ship.
EnveIoped in Flames.
Fifteen minutes after the captain
left the smoking hull an explosion
rent the ship and the ST. Croix was
enveloped in flames. Every one " the
$50 men, women and children had
been saved
With drawn pistol Captain Warner
took his place opposite each boat and
allowed only the women and children
to take their places. When they were
all cared for the men were given a
chance
Captain Warner fingered after every
man had left. and was 10th to aban-
don his ship.
The work of rescue progressed rap
idly, according to Fred Dahm, the
man who first discovered the fire.
and who praises Captain Warner for
his presence of mind. When ever any
one threatened to upset matters the
pistol came into evidence.
All of the women were off the YES
sci by 1880 o'clock. Some one surried
and the boat was swung out too quick
ly. A block broke and the women
were thrown into the water. One car
ried a tiny baby and the child was
hurled overheard.
Only One Injured.
The steward of the ship jumped IN
and saved the baby. He was crushed
against the side of the ship as he
brought the child to the other life boa.
which had been lowered successfully.
His arm was broken and he was lift
ed into the boat with difficulty.
D0f~ CD, f~~
tain Warner called every boat load to
the side of his life boat and gave in
structions to the officers in command.
The boats were ordered to keep to-
gether. Shouting his commands as the
boats went across the water Captain
Warner kept each in sight, and wheE
the breakers could be heard ahead on
the rocks ordered the others to others
to remain off shore while he landed.
One by one the boats were beached
and not one was swamped.
The nearest place was Malibu,
about six miles away, and toward this
Others were so exhausted that they
were obliged to remain at the tenn
porary shelter.
Hero We'll Cared For.
The stewart. who had helped in the
rescue of the women, who fell in the
water, was made as comfortable as
possible.
First Officer N. F. Mill, immediate.
~ after the landing of the passengers
at Point Dune, made his way over
land to Malihu Ranch. and secured an
automobile and came to Santa Monica,
bringing the first news of the land
ing
First Officer Mill states that as the
last boat containing members of the
crew left the st. Croix. the flames
burst forth from all sides. and the
steamer became a roaring furnace.
The passengers. the majority of
whom are women. remained in DESC
late canyon until daylight. when re-
lief was sent from this city.