The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-11-13
CHARGES AGAINST
V0LTURN0 FILED
Refugees in Minneapolis
Make Amdavits as to In
suaiciency of Boats.
CQNrENDED THAT ..,.:.:
CREW WAS DRUNK
Horror Ship Described in the state
ments Which Will be Investigated
No Order Aboard the Stricken Liner
Liner During the Trouble.

st. Paul. Nov. 1s.-Sensational
charges that the Volturno. trans-At-
lantic liner, which burned with heavy
loss of life recently, was equipped
with worthless life saving apparatus.
are made in affidavits filed with C.
H. Hamilton, British vice consul in
st. Paul, by survivors of the ocean
disaster.
Mr.. Hamilton accepted the affida-
Wits and sent them to tho British con-
sui in Chicago, at the latter's request
The st. Paul man would not divulge
the nature of the disclosures but from
the affiants themselves, through an
interpreter, the charges were learned.
Say Many We're Drunk.
According to their stories. many Of
the officers and members Of the crew
were drunk. Some stole a lifeboat
and made their own escape. while
passengers burned and drowned. Near.
ly all life preservers were rotten and
without straps. lifeboats were so
flimsy that they fell to pieces with
the weight of the passengers and
drowned them. and other lifeboata
could not be got the davits.
Mrs. Mary Zullsowska, 635 Marshal
street, Minneapolis, and John Jablon-
eski. 614 Fifth street northeast, Min
neapolis. Volturno survivors. are au-
thority for these sensational charges
They have recounted the same stories
to dozens Of their friends in Mime
apolis.
Stories Are Same.
In all essential points the tale OF
the hell ship" as given by Jablones-
Zulkowska. She remained on the ship
a little longer than he did. however
Each was accompanied by five chill.
dren when they left Rotterdam in the
steerage, October 2. Jablonskrs chill.
dren became separated from him.
and were taken to Havre. They are
said to be on their way to America
now.
JAblonslkis Story.
This is Jablonskrs story of the dis
1T was the evening before the fire
alarm think October 9-that my
wife and my children and I started
to our beds. We smelt smoke and fel,
that the ship was burning. None OF
the officers did anything about it. We
went to bed.
All Called on Deck.
early the next morning We were
all called on deck and told the ship
was burning. We went in our nigh,
clothes, and were not allowed to take
anything with to keep US warm
There was plenty Of time to gel
warmer clothing ana SHOES. but the
stewards would not allow it. I had
500 marks in my clothes. which were
lost.
Ship Burning in Bow.
my wife. my children and ! went
on deck. The fire was burning in the
bow. We crowded to the stern and
remained there shivering and hungry
until the rescue ships came. No pro.
vision was made for feeding US OF
giving US water.
'There was no discipline. every.
where was confusion. A lifeboat was
lowered-the first one. A panic.
stricken boy jumped overheard into
it. It was 20 rotten that he went
straight through the bottom. and the
boat sunk. Twenty-six women and
children got into the next boat. The
bottom fell out Of it and the sides
collapsed. drowning them.
Could Not be Lowered.
"The davits were 80 rusty and the
chains 50 rusty. too, that many OF the
life boats could not be lowered at all
When all our boats had been swamped
or smashed but one. three officers gol
in 1t. saying they were going to ont