The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-13

llifebelts were handed around and much
| time was occupied in fastening them.
! We were told that the fire soon might
be auenched, but the captain thought
/ it wise for all TO have belts as pre-
caution.
THE fire frightened the children, who
cried bitterly. There were many babies
/ In arms. The fire, grew worse. We saw
things blazing down below. About 10
O'Clock there was cry to lower the
boats.
'.The captain behaved splendidly. So
did the officers, who were English. i am
sorry to say that the crew, who were
| Germans and Belgians, behaved very
| badly The people rushed about wildly
and the crew seemed to think they ought
| to have first place and instead of quiet
! Ing the passengers they made the panic
worse.
! Crew Get Into Boats
1.-THE first officer took charge of the
! first boat but although he wanted the
women and children saved first. ma
| jorty of those who entered the boat were
members of the crew.
This boat was smashed against the
! ships side just as it reached the water
IL broke in two and all in it were drowned.
meanwhile, attempts were made to
/ lower the second boat. cannot say who
was in charge of this. but l do know
that after the chief steward had thrown
provisions in he jumped himself. There
were more men than women and children
/ in this boat which did not go down, for
It was broken against the ship and all
were drowned.
| '"These two boats were an3idships. Three
other boats were put out after. The fourth
| officer was in one of them. but l cannot
| say which one. All was confusion. The
ropes broke and the occupants were
/ 4. l~xA- II. Il. -,
/ killed, When the captain saw what had
! happened he cut the tackle of the other
boats SO that they could not be launched.
1--WE were so glad when we saw the
Carmania come, for we said now we shall
all be saved.
| Pistol Drawn on Fireman
THE firemen rushed up from below
and refused to go back. The captain drew
! his revolver and drove them below, but
soon after as the fire was spreading. they
! we're obliged to abandon the engines .
| las, soon as the Carmauia was sighted
| the captain made all the women and chill
dren go to one side and the men to the
other side. He had been compelled to
leave the bridge and 20 aft because it was
too hot. Women wept, shriexed laughed
and became hysterical.
! I'VE had not thought OF food, but in
the afternoon we considered 1t better to
get something and went to the kitchens.
which we found deserted, made coffee
and helped ourselves 10 biscuit and beef
! But most Of thec assengers refused to
eat.
1--WE saw RATS sent from the Carmania,
but nobody told us to Jump in. In fact
we knew not what they were there for.
About 6 o clock the decks aft began TO
get very warm, then hotter and hotter
/ But we did not seem to feel the beat
| When shown his boot with the sole hat
burned through Trintepohl said:
! II don't remember this, but 1t was awful
| when the flames burst out. Some of the
men and women tore their hair bat 9TH
ers were quite still.
After the explosion l thought 1t bet
| ter to jump, for / am a good swimmer
and an English passenger and one OF
the crew said they would accompany me
| l jumped first; they followed but ] never
saw them again.
Seen By Searchlight
"r made for the German ship. but they
| did not hear me. Then came toward the
Carmania and shouted Help. help, and
was saved by aid of the searchlight.
was about an hour in the sea and became
half unconscious. know not how wal
got out.
During the day Ave sailors and one
! steward fell into the fire and were burned
| to death.
II know nothing more. / came away
because it was. too hot to stay any long
err, and / feared the whole ship would
blow up
When Trintepohi was told that accord,
| ing to the captains wireless message siS
boats had been launched and two goI
away. he said:
ut is not So was there all the time
/ and saw everything. No boat got away =
Mr. Spurgeon in his own account tells
of the attempts to get lifeboats alongside
the volturno.
Nothing he said, twas seen of tilt
two boats launched with about 20 passen-
gers each after they left the volturno'i
side. Fear others were smashed against