Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1913-10-17
WERE BURNEDAT SEA
URANIUM LINE STEAMER VOL
TURNo, BETWEEN NEW YORK
AND HALIFAX, Is NO MORE.
OVER l3S LIVES REPORTED LOST
Heroic Efforts to Reach Imperllsd
Survivors Continue Through Night
Of Horror-621 Saved-Wire-
less Brings Aid Quickly.


Of Horror-621 saved-Wire-
less Brings Aid Quickly.
London.-Not since the Titanic sank
has Europe been SO thrilled as by q
wireless message October il telling Of
the burning Of the steamship Volturno
OF the Uranium line, for New York and
Halifax. in mid-Atlantic, with a loss,
30 far as at present known, Of 1856 fives
and the rescue OF 621. The survivors
are now aboard q fleet Of steamers
summoned by the Volturno's call for
help. some Of which are bound east
ward and others westward.
The rescue ships reached the scene
OF the disaster in plenty Of time to
save all. but for hours stood by the
blazing vessel impotent, because OF
the storm, to reach the agonized men,
women and children crowding the
afterpart Of the ship and within Z
stones throw.
All night Thursday the ufeboats
made . desperate effort to get along
side the Volturno. but the waves beat
them back again and again, and not
until the storm abated at daylight Fri
day did the rescuers succeed in re-
moving the survivors from the doomed
ship.
llfeboats 9wamped.
Exactly how the rescue was effected
is not known. The Volturno was we'll
equipped with boats, sufficient, the
agents say. for 1000 people, but the
boisterous sea or lack Of boat drill, or
panic among the passengers prevented
the successful employment OF them.
The rescue ships were able to lower
lifeboats, but apparently most Of the
boats launched from the Volturno
were smashed or upset and the occu-
pants drowned.
Speed to Rescue.
The steamer Carmania, bound from
New York to Liverpool, was Is miles
away when the call for help sounded.
Captain Barr, ordering full steam, in
spite OF the gale, drove through the
seas at 20 knots an hour and was the
first Of the fleet to reach the burning
vessel.
She was followed by the La Tou-
raine. Minneapolis. Rappahannock,
Gear. Narragansett, Devonian, Kroon-
land. Grosser Kurfuerst and Seydlitz
at various hours throughout the day.
But try as they might the rescuing
vessels could get neither line nor life
boat to the Volturno, the forward part
Of which was almost hidden by q dense
cloud of smoke when the Carmania
arrived
The burning steamer lay in the
trough Of the sea. pounding helplessly,
with her propellers fouled by the
boats tackle. The terrified passengers
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 what
ever appliances were at hand to hold
the fire in check.
Hopeless Situation.
But night came, on and the seas
abated only slightly. The circle Of
steamers kept their searchlights play.
ing and waited patiently within the
danger zone for the first moment when
they might again launch the lifeboats.
The hopelessness of the situation
was manifested at 3 o'clock in the eve
ming when q great explosion tore
away part Of the upper works and
flames burst from the engine room. It
then became matter Of how long the
Volturno would stay above the waters.
Meanwhile several of the terrified
passengers, wrapped In life buoys,
dropped over into the sea. Some were
rescued.
Women and Children First.
When day broke the Volturno was
still afloat. The gale had moderated
and the seas had Gained down. From
almost every one of the encircling
steamers lifeboats were sent out and
into these the women and children
were lowered first. Several trips were
necessary before the survivors we're
removed to place Of safety.
It Is pointed out as remarkable
coincidence that the Volturno, about
four years ago, made a notable rescue
In great storm In mid-Atlantic of the
crew Of a French vessel. Captain Har.
rison, who was then commander of the
Volturno. was decorated by the French
government for his daring act.
The Volturno sailed from Rotterdam
IN Ocfohor Q fov Now Vnrk Arcord.