The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-08
Caused by Explosion.

Caused by Explosion.
NEW YORK, July s.-The fire that
attacked the big liner Minnehaha,
carving ammunition to England. was
caused by an explosion, Captain
iClaret wirelessed to the Atlantic
Transport company's ONCE here this
afternoon. The blaze is now under
control, the Minnehaha's commander
messages.
4 Captain Claret's wireless failed TO
state what caused the explosion. His
possibility that the dynamite trunk"
of Frank Holt, Morgan assailant, found
it's way aboard the ammunition car
rier before she cleared from New
York for Liverpool Sunday afternoon.
j Claret's message, relayed to the New
York office from the Cape Race wire
less station at l2:40 this afternoon
follows:
Fire caused by explosion. Now
controlled by suffocation and steam.
Much smoke in holds. Deemed it ex-
pediant to make Halifax. Due on
Chebucto head Cat the entrance to
Halifax harbor) about nine Friday
morning. Advise agents" (signeD
Claret
| The belief that the mysterious fire
aboard the Minnehaha resulted from
lHolt's activities was further strength
ened this afternoon when 1t was point
ed out that the Minnehaha's pier, No.
5s in the North river. was very near
the piers from which the American
liner Philadelphia and the Cunard
liner Saxonia sailed last Saturday.
: In his letter to his wife at Dallas,
!. Texas, Holt limited that his dynamite
trunk had been placed aboard either
, tn, Saxonia Or the Philadelphia, sail
: ing Saturday
; The Minnehaha. it was learned this
, afternoon, was originally scheduled to
!, depart for Liverpool on Saturday. De-
lay in placing in her hold about 10000
tons of war munitions caused post
ponement of her departure to Sunday.
obviously Holt would not have known
of this at the time he wrote his let
ter, only officials OF the line being
: fully appraised OF the vessels exact
time of departure.
: Officials at the Atlantic Transport
Offices, while admitting the theory
that Holt was responsible for the
fire aboard the munitions carrier was
strengthened by Captain Claret's lat
est message. still doubted the story.
They refused to suggest what might
have started the fire. pending detail
ed report from the ships commander.
This afternoons message from the
Minnehaha's commander, however, re-
lieyed anxiety felt here for the >ves-
sells safety. 1t was the first word
J heard from CIaret since his first mes
sage, sent nearly twenty hours ago.
That the fire gained Roadway after
the first message was sent at $50 7.
: m yesterday, was indicated by the
wireless from Claret this afternoon. In
2 last nights wireless he reported that
: thu blaze had been confined to hold
l No. 8. This afternoons message in
: dictated that the flames attacked other
2 holds.
Hold News Back.
i NEW YORK, July Sat ten o'clock.
Offices of the Atlantic transport line
stated that they had no confirmation
OF report IN circulation that the
!. Minnehaha, OF their line. was afire
l east Of Halifax.
The report in circulation is said TO
, have reached New York via wireless
:; from Cape Race.
0 The Minnehaha cleared from New
7 York for Liverpool late Sunday and
I Is said to have carried large cargo
lof ammunition and supplies for the
British army.
The Minnehaha Is one OF the largest
: vessels of the Atlantic Transport
r Line She Ia steel twin screw
y steamer displacing 1874 tons. and is
600 feet in length. with a SIS foot
beam.
She was built In 1900 at Belfast
and is registered from that port.
The Minnehaha was built as big
passenger carrying boat. She had
four decks and WAS equipped with
wireless Her commander Is H. Claret
Then Admit the Report
NEW YORK. July Sat the Offices
Of thu Atlantic Ira ns mort Line a stat q