El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-10-12
CALL FOR AID SAVES
MANY LIVES ON A BURNING SHIP
Continued from Page one.I

| steamer, which heard the VOlturno's S.
/ o. S. distress call by wireless, were
/ several hundred persons who, unmind-
1 full Of the binding cold of the gale and
] crashed over the vessels, remained on
1 deck throughout the afternoon and
! night to watch the fire.
All during Thursday night one
| searchlight from the CuTarder, Car
mania was kept steadily on the Vol
| turnO, while another played over the
10 vessels that surrounded the stricken
ship. The cries OF those on the Vol
turno were carried by the gale and the
passengers on all of the other vessels
could see the women and children hud-
died close to the VolturnO'S afterrail
while the men stood nearer the fire.
Carmania's Captain Acts Quickly.
That SO many were rescued from the
! VoltUrno was due to the prompt, ef-
ficient work of captain Barr, OF the
Carmania- The wireless operator on
the Carmania picked up a faint IS. o.
s" call shortly after noon on Thursday.
The position of the VolturnO was given
afire; fear we are doomed
The Carmania, which sailed from New
York October 4, for Liverpool, put
ahead and headed for the point from
which the call came 1t was the first
vessel to reach the burning Volturno.
China Hurries to Rescue.
When the Carmania received the first
wireless signal she was apout IS miles
from the VOlturno. Extra stokers were
rushed into the fire room and within
a short time the Carmania was making
20 knots under forced draught-
At o'clock the lookout on the Car
mania sighted a black spot on the
horizon and the Cunarder was pointed
toward this. Shortly after 4 o'clock
Capt. Barr slowed down his vessel
and circled the Volturno. At that
time a terrible gale was sweeping
over the sky.
In the meantime the Carmania wire
less operator had been sending out
calls to all vessels that happened to
be in that section Of the Trans-At-
1antlc line Nine vessels answered
Soon after o'clock the North Ger
man liner GrOsser Kurfurst. which
sailed from Bremen on October 4 hove
in sight. A little later the German
tramp steamer SeylitZ. came up to the
VolturnO. Following this all at full
teamed around the black line of smoke
that was being whirled across the
foaming waves by the gale
Women and Children Drown.
Shortly before darkness closed in
over the scene. Capt. Inch ordered six
life boats manned and filled. with all
women and children who cared to leave
These boats had hardly touched the
water when they were hurled against
the side of the VOlturnO and four
OF them were crushed like egg shells
The other two managed to get clear
OF the burning vessel and one was
picked nm the Gar and the other by
the Sevdlitz
It was then apparent to the CAPTAINS
of the II vessels that any attempt at
rescue by means of life boats would
prove unavailing. Capt Burr then
brought the Carmania close to the
stern OF the VolturnO and fired sew
eraI lines at the burning vessel. but
the gale was too strong and the leaden
ends fell into the sea One line carried
close to the rail and scores of lager
that meant safety. But when the line
fell few feet short of the Volturno
a stern cry of anguish went uD from
the frantic passengers which was
carried to the otEer vessels.
BY consent of the commanders of 4
all OF the vessels in the rescue fleet
Capt Barr was allowed to take COM
mand of the situation. He then de-
cided that the 10 vessels that formed I
the rescue fleet would form in bat |
tie line. in circle around the. Vol /
vessels began march around the Vol |
turno, then mass of flames. which !
continued throughout the night.
All the vessels were brilliantly light 4
ed, but only two searchlights were /
used, owing to the danger of binding
the men on the bridge These lights I
was kept on the NOlturnO while the 4
other played about over the other YES
sells, enabling them to keep a safe dis
lance from the others.
All the night captains kept I'D a I
conference by means of the wireless.
While numerous plans were suggested !
each calling for desperate attempt /
to reach the burning liner. all of these !
were abandoned and it was decided /
that the only hope Law In the chance /
hat the gale would abate and the sea
Subside somewhat.
Explosion Shakes vessel.
Shortly before dawn the watchers on
the vessels which formed the circles
were appalled, to see an immense flame |
shoot uD from about the middle OF
the VOlturno. An instant later these
we're followed by a report which could /
be heard on all of the vessels. When I
the ma IS of flames and burning ma !