New-York tribune., 1913-10-15

moderate. thought Of putting out
boats. but the opinion Of all my ofhcers
was against the lowering OF iife'oa's'
7 sent out two whaleboats, however
"The yolturno at this time mad her
stern in the air. while forward ana
on,idshjns she was nothing btu great
torch"
CAPTAIN Caussin reports that many
volunteered 10 man the "haiepoa'
- hon Il was launched. He chose Sec
ond Captain Rousselet to command d
picked crew. As the whaleboat was
lowered II was almost crushed against
the side of the ship on the nrst at
tempt but the second attempt was
successful, and the passengers cheered
as IL got away. The boat was quickly
lost sight of in the darkness as the
seas we're running very high. Lieu
tenant Izenic asked 10 be allowed TO
command the second whaleboat. which
was got off successfully.
Guidino Boats After Dark.
From La Touraine the boats hare
could be seen for some time, and sig
nails were burned on the ship TO guide
the boats on their return, while the
steam whistle blew continually. Lleu-
tenant Izcnic returned after being
away for three hours with five OF the
Volturnos passengers, who climbed on
board Of La Touraine up rope ladder
with lines tied around them.
Lieutenant Izenic," continues Cap
tain Caussin, reported that upon his
arrival at the side Of the Nolturno that
vessel presented a frightful spectacle.
She was blazing from her bows to
amidships and plunging and rolling.
The crew and passengers had been
driven by the flames and smoke to the
extreme afterpart of the vessel, where
they uttered incessant cries of terror
The whaleboat stood off. its crew call
ing TO the passengers To jump into the
sea, when they would be taken on
board. None. however, would jump
until the Touraine's whaleboat was
thrown by a gigantic wage against the
Volturnos side. Instantly number
jumped or slid down ropes into the
boat. Two who had jumped for the
boat disappeared under the side OF the
Volturno as she rolled. One man
landed on sailor in the whaleboat
and injured him.
Happily Lieutenant Izenic was able
TO get clear OF the Volturno with FIVE
rescued passengers or his boat would
have been overloaded and sunk, as IL
was able to take only few.
Men Refuse to Jump.
THE other whaleboat commanded by
Second Captain Rousselet. Of the Tou-
raine, was near the stern Of the Vol
turno and its crew were calling to
the passengers to jump, but none would
do so. No other boat was seen at that
time near the burning ship.
Lieutenant Izenic wanted TO put off
again from the Touraine. but / sent
the second mate with fresh crew.
"Rousselet returned later with three
rescued people. All who were brought
in both boats were in a state OF great
exhaustion. Rousselet was allowed TO
make another trip in his whaleboat
with a fresh crew. and | now lowered
lifeboat. thinking it might bring
back larger load.
The second mate returned with sew
en- persons he had picked up. and
Rousselet brought back seven others.
Rousselet reported that he had found
ropes. pulley tackle and improvsed
ladders along the afterpart OF the
Volturno dangling from the sides. The
vessel had a strong list 10 starboard.
her nose was low in the waves and the
water was breaking over her. The
flames lighted up the scene as Rousse-
let's whaleboat ran in close and a hail
Of human beings fell upon II and its
crew. Fourteen people were picked up,
Of whom seven were transferred 20 the
other whaleboat. az Rousselets craft
was in danger OF being swamped from
overlooking.
Women Taken Out Of Sea.
by this time IT was 6 o'clock on
Friday morning. and numerous boats
from the other ships alongside had been
lowered and were around the Vol
turno. Another one of our boats took
two women and two children from the
sea, which had become calmer. The
women and children were let down into
the water tied with ropes.
when no more people were on board
the Voturno our boats were taken in.
II there had been less panic at the be-
ginning OF the fire many more could
have been saved. Unfortunately, two
boats launched from the Volturno were
broken up by the seas and it is certain
that many were drowned during the
might. II the crew and passengers had
kept calm everybody might have been
saved
The doctor. the purser and several
officers OF the Yolturno were among
the last to get into the boats, and Cap
tain Inch was the very last to leave the
ship"
Hans Magnus, a member OF the Vol
turno's crew. confirms Badtke's state
ment that there were frequent viola
| tions of the steamship company's strict
order forbidding persons in tho steer