The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-10-13
ghborhood of the volturno.
SURVIVORS ALL SAVED

for considerable distance in the
neighborhood of the Volturno.
SURVIVORS ALL SAVED
The oil Gained the seas Immediately
about the stern of the burning ship
so that small boats from the rescuing
feet could approach closely. 1t was
still perilous undertaking, but the
use of oil went far toward minimizing
the risk of capsizing lifeboats.
Dozens of lifeboats from the res
cuing fleet Unanswered about the
stern of the Volturno, awaiting their
turn to take off passengers.
Captain Inch and the Volturno's
officers rugged lifelines at the stern
of their ship and sent down these
lines women and children first of all
Then the men of the passenger list
were lowered Into the small boats,
and finally the crew and the officers
abandoned the ship. II happened that
several of the rescuing fleet had more
small boats near the yolturno than
others had, and this accounted for the
fact that some of the steamers are
carrying more survivors than others.
The work of rescue was completed
at 9 a. m. The work was accom-
plished with splendid courage and
discipline.
Immediately after the ship had
been abandoned the II rescuing
steamers began to search the ocean
for the two lifeboats of the Volturno
that disappeared into the storm on
Thursday with nearly 100 passengers.
Each ship went on a short cruise, the
steamships taking different directions,
and the ocean was searched thor
oughly for many miles. 1t was fruit
less. No glimpse of the boats could
be had.
WIRELESS OPERATORS STORY
The version of the tragedy given
by the Carmania's wireless operator
was as follows:
ION October we received a call for
help from the Uranium liner Volturno.
which reported that she had 657 per-
sons, including crew of SO. on board.
The operator on the Volturno said the
vessel was afire and the flames were
spreading rapidly through the hull
The Carmania was IS miles away at
the time. Captain Barr gave orders
to crowd on all steam. Despite the
heavy seas which Were running at
the time and heavy gale which was
blowing. we made the rs miles in
about four hours.
When We arrived within sight of
the Volturno we saw clouds of smoke
issuing from the ship. When we got
close enough we could see flames
squirting from her ventf1ators 1t
seemed that the entire inside of the
hull was afire. Two sets of falls
were seen hanging loose over the
sides, showing that lifeboats had been
lowered. This was a sure sign that
the captain of the Volturno consid-
cred the situation serious. even to
the extent of fearing his vessel
doomed.
IIFEBoATs SMASHED
THE Volturno was in no position to
lower boats. for her engines had
broken down and the vessel had no
way on her. She was rolling help
lessiy in the swell. Even if the situa-
tion had been reversed. the seas were
so high that no lifeboat could have
lived IN them long without being
swamped. AS it happened, four boats
were smashed against the side while
being lowered
"All the occupants were either
killed or drowned Two boats man.
aged to get away, but were not heard
from The Carmania twice steamed
slowly by the Volturno, going as
close as she dared
we could see the passengers hud-
died on the aft deck, held in safety by
life lines. After completing a circuit
of the burning ship a lifeboat in
charge of First Officer r. Gardner was
lowered. After fighting for two hours
to get close to the volturno the fight
had to be given up The lifeboat re-
turned, with all the oars save three
xsI araI IL
that they had to be half carried on
deck.
RESCUE SHIPS HELPLESS
Shortly after 3 p. m. Thursday the
Seydiitz arrived on the scene Later
more ships put In an appearance Moth
ing could be done on account Of the
wind and waves. Nothing could be
more heartrending than our enforced
idleness, standing by in sight of the
destruction of the ship without being
able to give any assistance.
Captain Inch ali the time kept
signalling: Can't something be done
TO help us2 We must abandon the
ship. The plates are buckling; stand
by, for we will have to jump soon
About p. m. the flames burst out
am1dships, near the forward funnel,
lighting up the surrounding sea. In
lew minutes ali the snip from the
forward funnel to the forecastle was
on fire. with the flames leaping high
into the air. Through the flames and
the smoke the bridge was visible now
and then. The wind dropped slightly
about this time, which was a good
thing, for 1t prevented the flames
from being carried into the faces Of
the refugees in the afterpart of the
vessel.
SMALLER VESSELS HELPED
The smaller vessels which had
come up were able to get quite close
TO the Volturno. the Carmania being
a big liner and less easy to handle.
had to stand farther off
THE Carmania and the other shins
kept swinging their searchiights over
the water all night in order to give
aid to any of the Volturno's passen-
gers who might have jumped into the
water During the night a cry for
help was heard close to our bows The
searchlight was turned in that direc-
tion and man, supported by a life
buoy, was seen swimming toward us
Chief Officer John Stone and First
Officer Gardner descended the ladders
with life lines, but on account Of the