The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-13

the Nolturno are stin being searched
for. 1t Is likely that they have feun-
dered. Steamships are searching In
the neirhborhood of the wreck. The
rescued on this ship are being cared
for and have had proper accommoda-
lions. We are proceeding"
From Barr's ~curiously inadequate
messages, an Intensely interesting
story of the work Of the rescuing
ships has been extracted. however. The
commander of the Carmania reports
that his ship. the fastest of the fleet
which finally assembled about the
blazing N~olturno, arrived near the dis
tressed ship at about noon on Thurs
day. October 9th. The Carmania had
made a speed of twenty sea miles an
hour in the run toward the Volturno.
There was a terrific northwest gale,
the wind attaining a velocity seldom
experienced, wen on the North Allan
tic at this season.
The Caxmania, steaming to the
windward of the V~olturno, attempted
at once to begin the work of rescue by
lowering a small boat. Captain Barr
was anxious to test the possibility of
ferrying the Volturno's passengers to
his ship. The chief officer of the
Carmania, r. j. r. Gardiner, COM
manded a boat crew which fought
desperately for two hours to get un-
der the stern of the Uranium liner.
They were beaten back time after
time, and 1t was remarkable hat they
did not lose their lives.
small Boat Impossible.
Seeing the use of small boats was
absolutely impossible, Captain Barr
worked the Carmania as close to the
Nolturno's stern as it was possible
TO get her. He hoped To be able TO
cast a life line. but efforts in that
direction were nullifed by the gale.
1t vas toe hazardous to attempt 10
lay the Carmania any closer to the
Nolturno in such a storm.
The passengers of the Carmania
were greatly affected by the scene be-
Tore their eyes. They saw plainly hun
dreds of the Nolttfno's passengers col
lected in the after part of the ship.
and they heard above the noise Of
the gale the cries for help. At that
time the Nolturno was only aire at
the fore part. but the flames were
working steadily aft, despite Captain
mems efforts to keep The Volturno
turned with the wind.
When the fire reached the boiler
n engine rooms of the Nolturno
the wireless apparatus of that ship
was practicaiy crippled. The
Carmania assumed charge Of the
wireless situation, and sent ont re-
peated S. O. S. calls. Many steamers
had heard already the Vnlturno's
call for help. and were steaming to-
ward her as rapidly as possible. The
Grosser kurfuerst arrived in the aft
terhoon and was followed at almost
hourly intervals by others ships which
finally composed the rcscuine fleet.
Each of these ships tried to lower
small boats, but were baffled by the
storm until after dark on Thursday,
when the Grosser kurfuerst managed
to keep a lifeboat In the water, and
to rescue five of the Volturno's pas
sengers.
Work of Rescue.
No rescue work was possible on
Thursday night, because the storm
continued, but toward dawn 1t blew
itself out and the fleet. which had
Unanswered carefully all night, con-
stantly fearing collision, prepared to
take off the Volumes passengers.
The Nolturno made a hnal call for
Gods sake help us. or eve perish"
Nine steamships were around the
Volturno at daybreak. These were
the Carmania. the kroonland, La
TouraNe, Grosser Kurfuerst, Mime
apolis. New York. a tank ship;
Seydlitz, Rappahannock. and Devon
ian, Toward daybreak two more
ships arrived. the Gar and the oil
tank steamer. the N~arraeansett. The
latter came up at full speed and took
a position slightly to the w~indward
of the N~olturno. She began at once
to our oil on the sea, using two
large lines of hose which sprayed oil
for a considerable distance in the
nelghborhood OF the stern Of the Vol
turno.
The arrival Of the Narragansett
proved TO be of immense assistance.
The oil Gained the seas immediately
about the stern Of the burning ship
so that the small boats from the
rescuing feet could approach closely.
1t was still a perilous undertaking.
but the use of oil went far toward
minimizing the risk OF capsizing life
boats.
Dozens Of Nfeboats from The rescu-
ing feet m-aneuvered about the stern
of the Nolturno. awaiting their turn
to take off passengers, Captain Inch
and the Nolturno's officers rugged life
lines at the stern OF their ship, and
sent down these lines m and
children first al all.