South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-10
BELIEVE HOLT PUT
BOMB ON BRITISH
LINER IN NE VI YORK
Minnehaha Reaches Halifax
After Hard Fight With Fire
and StOrm-ThriIIing Tales
Are Told.

HALIFAX. y. s. July 20.-w1th
flames caused by the explosion of an
internal machine raging in her no.
hold and after weathering a gale and
a thick fog. the steamship Minnehaha
Of the Atlantic Transport line was
brought safely 10 anchorage in the
lower harbor at / o'clock Friday aft
ernoon. Late Friday afternoon II was
announced that the fire had been ex-
tinguished.
There is no doubt but that the ex-
plosion was caused by a bomb placed
aboard the vessel while she was lying
at her dock in New York city. Off
cials OF the line, after listening 10 the
thrilling tales OF Capt. Claret and the
loo members Of the crew of the
freighter, which carried $4,000 tons OF
war munitions for Great Britain, state
that they believe IL 10 have been the
work OF Frank Holt, or OF a confed-
crate
The theory Of spontaneous cOmbus-
ton was never entertained as the eX
plosion was followed by volumes OF
suffOcating fumes that hampered the
crew in their fight and which the Of
ficers insisted came from some in
fernal instrument.
All In Readiness.
Warned by a message from Sec'y
Of the Navy Daniels that Frank Holt.
alias Erich Muenter. had boosted that
he would send 10 the bottom some YES
sci, the name OF which he appeared TO
be uncertain of, on Wednesday, Capt
Claret had the life boats swung out in
readiness for lowering in event of an
explosion occurring.
At mast fOllr Wednesday
afternoon and when the ship was $40
miles southwest of Halifax. an eX-
plOsion of terrific force took place
shaking the vessel from stem TO stern.
stunning those OF the crew who were
forward at the time. hurting other
sailors in the air and setting fire TO
the number three hold. For two days
and two nights in stiff southwest
gale the crew fought herOically and
succeeded in saving the ship.
The plans of whoever placed the
explosive aboard the vessel 10 send
the mUniuon- bearing ship 20 the bot
tom. We're frustrated by the tact that
their weapon of destruction was an
ticipated. Instructions 10 make every
precaution against an explosion We're
received by the operator on the Min
nehaha at 1890 noon. Four hours
later the explosion occurred. lmme-
diately upon receipt Of the message
\
AS thorough an examination as posi-
BILE OF the steamers cargo was made
in quick time Nothing suspicious was
found Nevertheless the boats were
swung out ready 10 be launched at a
moments notice. The speed OF the
ship was reduced and every man on
board given special instructions.
Making Half Speed.
The vessel was not making more
than half speed when the explosion
was felt in every part OF the ship
Thee seamen standing close TO the
hatch beneath which the disturbance
occurred, were thrown high into the
air. One was picked up in dazed
state and removed TO his quarters. An
other was on a step ladder and the
ladder was also lifted into the air. the
seaman clinging tightly TO H. lie es-
capped unhUrt.
- was standing on the hatch at the
time" said Seaman G.. Leonard,
when suddenly there was a terrific
explosion and the next thing / knew
was that I was up in the air"
Leonard said that almost immedi-
ately after the explosion smoke began
TO appear and then the work OF
sitting the fire began. Seaman
Wright was standing TO one side OF
compartment No. 3 splicing rope
and suffered a shock. He was thrown
into the air and badly shaken up.
The AIinnehaha is still at quaran-
tine and owing 10 the gale and un-
favorable weather conditions the
matches will not be removed tonight.
Small quantity Of smoke continues
TO pour out and steam is still being in
iected AS the fire burned fiercely
for so hours. il is believed that most
OF the cargo has been damaged