New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-11
SEAS WORSE
THAN THE FIRE
ON LA TOURAINE
Passengers Tell Their Elk
perienceS on the Burn
ing Steamer.
NO EVIDENCE OF
GERMAN PLOT
Hold Practice Drill with Life
Preserverc, but Bridge
Games Go Or.

Paris. March 10.-Drs. Joseph Wheel
wright and r. G. Walker, passengers on
the Touraine, who will remain in Paris
a few days before going to the hospital
at Sens, confirm the statements Of other
passengers as TO the fire on board the
vessel. DR.. Wheelwright says the most
eventful feature of the voyage was the
way the ToUrainc rolled in the heavy
sea. lie said that when the fire was
announced on Saturday morning a few
Frenchmen put on life preservers, but
the other passengers, knowing that the
fire would soon be under control, made
no special preparations. DR.. walker
said: "The only Inconvenience we eN-
perienced during the voyage was that
some of us got seasick; otherwise, and
except for the heavy rolling, 1t was
very enjoyable crossing. Or course, as
the Touraine approached Havre she
settled considerably. owing to the
enormous quantity of water USED IN
extiuguishiug the fire
The real story of the experiences on
the Touraine's voyage was told to The
Tribune's correspondent this morning
by DR.. John s. BerwIn. one OF the
American surgeons, who after his ar
rival in Paris started ut once with hve
other surgeons, medical men. and
nurses to begin work at the military
hospital Of one hundred beds estao-
lished by DR.. Percy Turnure at Sens, on
the Yonne River. seventy miles south
east of Paris. DR. Berwin said:
I'VE were told on Saturday morning
that fire had broken out in the hold
but that il was under control and thar
the Touraine was already m wireless
communication with several steamers
including two cruisers, who would keep
us company to Havre and insure the
safety of passengers and mails IN case
Of emergency. There was an exercise
drill with life preservers in the. morn
ing. and perfect discipline and absolute
coolheadedncsS were shown by all the
passengers and crew.
Captain Caussin. by his quiet and
calm demeanor, inspired implicit conn
dcncc. We noticed that the sides and
ton Of some compartments became hot
but this probably was owing to the great
auantitv of water that had been turned
into steam by the fire. Saturday was
the only day that seemed likely to be
come at all critical. but the crew fought
the flames admirably and the fire was
evidently under full control by mid
night. or o'clock Sunday morning.
Or W. G.. Braddock confirmed the
statements of Dr. BerwinJ and SAID
that everything went on as usual on
board shin, the cooking being done TO
the right turn, meals being served with
the same service, and punctuallty as
on an ordinary voyage.
Alma Marie Mccormick, a nurse, SAID
nobody would have supposed anything
unusual had taken place, all was SO
quiet and uneventful
Robert Raymond, another paSsen8C''
said: "The trip had been a particularly
pleasant one and couple or days pc
fore our arrival at Havre we had some
very good music by amateur pIanlsts III
the cabin. Captain Caussln reihaiHcu
on the bridge during the last three
DAYS Of the trip. night ana day.
None Of the passengers, even II theE
realized the danger Of travelling on =
burning ship, gave any signs or emo
zion. which, like the fire, was kept well
in hand"
DR.. Braddock said: at was to all ap-
nearauces most unevCntful voyage.
I'VE were conveyed by the Rotterdam,
and when the Rotterdam parted COM
many with US we were conveyed by TWO
french cruisers. A sharp lookout was
kent for submarines, but none were
seen. Some amateur bridge players
did not interrupt their games. lntil
we reached Havrc there was no owl
dence 70 cause belief that the ire was
due TO German drcbugs, although some
yacuc rumors 90 that effect were CIR
culated. The Investigation now DeIhE
made by the officials will profanity es-
tabIisb the true cause Of the fire"