The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-03-19


themselves over the side. But the
ropes soon burned and those clnging
to them sank beneath the surface
One man filled his pockets with sill
yer dollars and lowered himself to the
waters edge with the intention of seia-
ing a spar. He no sooner released his
hold on the rope than owing to the
weight of the silver, he sank to rise no
more
Six horses belonging to the mena-
gerie were backed overheard Three
of them instinctively struck out for
the nearest land which they reached
in safety. The other three swan
around and around the burning steam
er until they sank exhausted
A large elephant belonging to the
menagerie retreated TO a part of the
Royal Tar which the flames had not
yet reached. He mounted his fore
feet upon the rail in which position
he remained until about four o'clock
in the afternoon, apparently ealculat-
/ ing his prospects of escape. At length
the fire became too hot and he leaped
overheard carrying with him as he
! slid down the steamers side several
passengers who were clinging there.
ELEPHANT WAS LOST.
His immense weight probably car
ried him to the bottom of the sea, as
he appeared on the surface sometime
later at a considerable distance. The
elephant turned toward the nearest
land but. as the steamer had by this
time drifted four or five miles out to
sea. it is believed that he sank eX-
hausted before reaching shore.
The Royal Tar continued to drift
seward before the high wind and the
light from the blazing ship was visible
for miles until about 8 O'Clock when
it suddenly disappeared. The Inflated
steamer had gone to the bottom, some
~ miles from " utlt tllt me- III ~ " oNN
out.
An account OF the fire is given by H
II. Fuller, who was manager of the
menagerie as follows:
Immediately after the Royal Tar
came to anchor fire was discovered
around the whole space occupied by
the boiler below the deck. Those who
first became aware of the flames, fled
to the boats At this time | was sick
in my berth. My attention was called
to the fact that something unusual
had taken place, by observing that
every person but myself had left the
cabin.
| when | reached the deck | saw
the long boat, full of people, a quar-
ter of mile or so to the leeward.
They were rowing hard and were soon
out Of sight The small boat, in which
was Capt Reed, who took possession
of it to prevent it following the long
boat to the leeward, lay about so yards
astern Three persons swan OFF and
were taken in her, though the wind
was then blowing gale, and ire
mendous sea was running. He then
bore away for the land to windward
about two miles.
AT this time great many people
! I'd 1rng n p6
The screams OF women and children
the horrid yells of the men, the roar
ing of the storm and the awful con
fusion, battle description.
THE pilot, Capt Atkins, of Port
land. and the mate, Mr. Black OF st
John, with the assistance OF those wht
still had their senses. after hosting
signal of distress, slipped the cable
and made sail The sails however
caught fire, and were soon burnt The
steamer then preached to, and was
shortly enyeloped in flames amidships
The fire interrupted all communica
ton between fore and aft, and neither
those in the bow nor those in thu
stern could see or know the fate o
each other.
"All but myself fed from the quar-
ter-deck. | sat on the stern rail, til
my coat took Are. l looked arount
and seeing not a soul around me II
the boat, | fastened rope TO the tile
chain and dropped over the stern
where | found about Is others hang
ing in different places, mostly in ih'
water. In fact the water washed Owe
us almost every minute.
SAW SEVERAL DROWNED.
while holding on | saw seYera
drown. Some were beaten from then
hold by the waves and some falling
into the sea for want of strength t.
sustain themselves any longer. hat
fastened my rope to the chain, which
was again fastened by iron bolts
which held out against the fire muci
longer than the parts to which man.
were suspended. | wound the rop'
round my neck and thigh and wa
enabled to bear up the additions