The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1913-10-16
l35 PERISH IN Mid OCEAN
STEAMER VOLTURNO
BURNS IN MID OCEAN.
Eleven Ships, Summoned by Wire
less, Stand BY Powerless to Assist
in Rescue Because of Storm.

message Saturday telling of the
burning of the steamer Volturno in
mid-Atlantic, with loss, so far as is
at present known, of 1875 lives and
the rescue of 521. The survivors are
now aboard fleet of steamers sum-
moned by the Volturno's call for help,
some of which are bound eastward
and others westward.
The Volturno sailed from Rotter-
dam on Oct. for New York. Ac-
cording to the official statement she
carried % first cabin passengers, 538
steerage and a crew numbering 96.
The rescue ships reached the scene of
the disaster in plenty of time to save
all, but for hours stood by the blaz-
ing vessel, impotent because of the
storm to reach the agonized men and
women and children crowding the
afterpart of the ship, which was with
in a stones throw
The steamer Carmania, bound from
New York for Liverpool, was 7S
miles away when the call for help
sounded. Capt Barr ordering full
steam, in spite of the gale drove
through the seas at 20 knots an hour,
and was first of the fleet to reach the
burning vessel. The Carmania was
followed by La Touraine, Minneapo-
lis, Rappahannock, Gear, Narragan-
sett, Devonian, Kroonland, Grosser,
Kurfuerst and Seydlitz at various
hours throughout the day. But try
as they might, the rescuing vessels
could get neither line nor lifeboat to
the Volturno, the forward part of
which was almost hidden by dense
cloud of smoke when the Carmania
arrived.
The burning steamer lay in the
trough of the sea, pounding helpless
ly with her propellers fouled by the
boats tackle. The terrified passen-
gers were huddled together as far as
it was possible to get from the flames,
while throughout the day the officers
and crew fought desperately with
whatever appliances were at hand to
hold the fire in check.
The hopelessness of this situation
was manifested at s o'clock in the
evening, when a great explosion tore
away part of the upper works and
flames burst from the engine room.
It then became a matter of how long
the Volturno would stay above the
waters. Meanwhile several of the
frantic passengers, within life buoys,
dropped over into the sea. One of
them was taken aboard the Carmania.
1t may be that others found haven
with other vessels of the fleet.
When day broke the Volturno was
still afloat The gale was moderated
and the seas had calmed down. From
almost every one of the encircllng
steamers lifeboats were sent out and
into these the women and children
were lowered first. Several trips were
necessary before the survivors were
removed to a place of safety.
1t is pointed out as remarkable
coincidence that the Volturno, about
four years ago, made a notable res
cue of the crew of a French vessel in
a great storm in mid-Atlantic. Capt.
Harrison, who then commanded the
Volturno, was decorated by the
French government for his daring
act.
A graphic story by the solitary sur
vivor aboard the Carmania, who is a
German named Trentepohl, was re-
ceived by wireless and presents ter
rible picture of the horror, the panic
and confusion aboard the burning
liner.
ALI WOuI We'll, Sdlu IAlulCpOil,
until o'clock Thursday morning,
when the fire alarm sounded. We
were aroused and told to go on deck,
as fire had broken out in the hold.
On assembling life belts were handed
around and much time was occupied
in fastening them. We were told that
the fire soon might be quenched, but
the captain thought it wise for all to
have belts as precaution.
'The fire frightened the children,
who cried bitterly. There were many
babies in arms. The fire grew worse.
We saw things blasting down below
About 10 o'clock there was cry to
lower the boats.
THE captain behaved splendidly.
So did the officers, who were Eng
lish. l am sorry to say that the crew,
who we're Germans and Belgians, be-
haved very badly. The people rush
ed about wildly and the crew seemed
to think they ought to have first
,1,oo ond ;nctaad of nu;otinS the DaS-