The sun., 1913-10-15
10 VOLTURNO BABIES
IN FEATHER BEDS
WATTS Rescued by La Tourainc
Have tho Time Of
Their Lives.
WOMEN MAKE CLOTHES
Expensive Dresses Used 10
Fashion Garments for
Youngsters.
special cable Desoafh 70 Tus Sen.

>pecial cable Desoafh 70 TuE Sen
HANRE. oct. IA brighter side Of the
Nolturno disaster was presented to THE
Sun correspondent and other newspaper
men when they boarded la Touraine in
the rcadstead this morning. Something
Of the ghastliness and grimness of death
by fire and droW ming was temporarily
snaced by the smiles of little children
'ba bies who had been rescued from the
Nol;urno and tenderiy mothered by the
women Of La Touraine's first cabin.
There were ten Of these children who
were held up for US to see when we
reached the deck. Eight of them had
been separated from their mothers by the
circumstances o: the rescue or by death
Two Of the children were In their
mothers arms But all were smiling and
happy. The story of how they We're
cared for is the pleasantest. that has
come far out ~ the mass of grim
details.
When La Touraine's life boats reached
the stern OF the Volturno on Friday morn
Ing. women cried to the sailors to take
the babies first. Mothers on the deck Of
the burning liner forgot their own danger
in the intense desire to put their children
in safety. 80 they reached the children
down to LA Touraine's sailors and took
their oyn chance In the boats Of other
ships. Some Of tine children were lowered
in coal baskets or In cradles rigged up by
the Volturno's sailors. one baby was
entirely naked when II was taken on
board the French Nner. All were dirty
Their clothing was torn or gIiiny from
smoke and coal dust. Some OF them had
been bruised and scratched II was hinted
that there was AN ugly stoI: here. a story
OF how women with children In their arms
were showed aside by resr-crazed men,
but this will have 10 await capt. Inch 3
report.
The frs, boa; tnat returned to La
Touraine brought seven children. The
rext boa. carried two OF the little sur
v.vois one Of whom had been wrapped in
a blanket and was peacefully asleep when
they carried him on deck. In a third boat
was a mother who had been able to keep
hold Of her li:tlc girl Several OF the
children cried Justify. They were cold
and frightened and hungry.
Around the gangway were the women
Of the Frencn liner. They simply pushed
the men out Of the way aad took charge
o. the babies. For the next few hours
the first cabin OF the liner was a nursery.
Women IN silks and jewels held tiny raga-
mufYins to their breasts. crooned TO them
and soothed away the fright and nervous.
ness. Others OF the women passengers
v ere busy tmprovisnR oaoy dresses ana
underwear and doing the hundred and one
little things that mothers understand
portable bathtubs were carried INTO the
raloon and filled with warm water. Then
the ladies' tubbed and scrubbed the small
survivors. soaping them well in spite OF
their protests. At first the children were
wrapped warmly in Grownups' clothes.
but after the sewing bee had finished IT'S
work there were plenty OF dresses and
clothing for the rescued children. Many
Of the women tore UP their own eNpen-
,iye underciothes to get material for the
children's clothes.
After the washing there Was fine
feeding, which was heartily enjoyed by
the men passengers and the officers OF
he liner. The women passengers warmed
milk for the tiniest Of the children and
led II to them by the spoonful.
quarters. The finest OF the first cabins
we're given up TO the Volturno children.
Little immigrants from Poland and
L.ithuania, who had never known better
,ed than a sheepskin Or rough pallet.
vent happily to sleep in La Touraine's
inest beds. covered with sheets of the
lnest linen and coverlets Of the finest
Iilk.
The women OF La Touraine were so
,ager over the welfare Of their proteges
hat some asked Commodore Caussin IL ,
hey could adopt the children. The Conn
nodore informed them that adoption ,
would not be- necessary. In all likelihood. :
nce the parents OF the children. In most |
ases, had been saved and were being !
ared for on other ships. However. the !
rood Samaritans will make II their busi- /,
less to help reunite children and parents. !
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