Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-08
HEROIC RtSCUES MADE
AS FLAMES CRACklt
When Accident Happens Two Boats
Are Near and Came to Relief of the
Endaneered-Men Scramble for
Advantage and Women and Chill
dren on Trampled Under Foot.
CBy Associated Prcss.)

explosion occurred this morning on
the British steamer Caironona of
Dungeness. which wrecked the wom-
ems quarters. killing one child and
injuring a number OF women and chill
dren. The steamer caught fire and
panic ensled. in which men fought
for the possession of the boats and
had to be beaten back by the crew
to allow the women to be taken on
first.
A large number of the passengers
were l9nded here this evening. many
OF them In an exhausted condition.
In all. twenty were seriously injured
and not less than fifty were slightly
injured by the explosion and in the
panic that followed II.
The Caironona sailed yesterday
from London for Portland Maine. She
carried one hundred passengers, for
the most part emigrants. and gen
ersl cargo. by good luck the steam
ers Upland and Kanawha were close
at hand when the Caironona caught
fire. They stood by and took of sew
eral hundred persons and landed them
here.
Details of Accident.
Several of the first-class passengers
and American cattlemen gave thrill
ing details OF the accident. A Num-
Der of women with children In their
arms were sitting on a hatch when
suddenly a violent explosion hurled
them to all parts of the deck
Some OF them were shockingly
injured and one child was killed. The
hatch was blown to fragments
A terrible panic ensued, the emf
grants. mostly Russians. running up
and down screaming and wringing
their hands Their fears were in
creased by the volume OF smoke
which poured from the burning hold.
The captain and officers made in
effectual efforts TO calm them and
then signals OF distress were sent up.
In the meantime another explosion
occurred in the engine room. injur-
ing several OF the engineers.
Scandalous Scenes.
The Kanawha and Upland steamed
up quickly and the captain decided
to transfer all the passengers. This
was accomplished speedily. but was
accompanied BY scandalouS scenes.
Scores Of men tried to rush the boats
and many Of them fought with the
women. tearing and dragging them
aside anJ even fTampling them under
foot. The crew baiiled vsIiantIy
against the panic-stricken emigrantS,
using fists and feet and any weapon
they could fHd Not a few OF the
fiantic mob of men were fellcd to the
deck before the fainting women and
children could be gotten into the
boats. In this stampede four persons
ieH, or were pushed. into the sea and
were rescred with difficulty.
Steamer Arrives.
The captain Of the Caironona re-
ports an explosion in the starbolrd
bunkcrs wrecking the women's quar-
tiers. This vas followed by several
minor explosions. Until = O'Clock in
the afternoon water was pumped into
the bunkers. and the vessel proceed
cd. reaching here a. . O'Clock tonight.
I hough il is believed that the FIRE
has been extinSuishcd. the steamer
will remain here until morning in Or
der TO be sure that she can proceed
In safety.
Rescued Are Landed.
The Ksnswha and Upland reached
Dover with the rescued passengers.
late In the afternoon and the scenes
AZ the landing were piteous. TX.
hauStcd by cold and exposure. many
Of them bel: fsmished anc others
suffering froms injuries. they we're
brought ashore and Supplied with
food. clothing ard medical attention
Admiral Prince louis. Of BTfcnburr
and the princess. with tho british
naval officers. lending assistance The
naval surgeons attended the wounded
many of whom were removed in am.
mulsncc % tho hospitals