Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-11-11
FRENCH LINER On
FIRE At SEA PUTS
BACK TO HALIFAX
Fourteenth Munition Ship Sail
ing from America since
March to Develop Mys-
teriOus Blaze.

New York, Nov S.-The French line
steamship Rochambeau. two days
out of New York for Bordeaux, reported
by wireless to-day with fire in her coal
hunkers was presumably steaming to-
night for Halifax, the nearest port Her
exact position was not given in the single
wireless message which brought news
Of her plight, but it was estimated she
would make Halifax some time late to-
night or early tomorrow
Aboard the burning steamer are 421
passengers and crew of about go, and
n large cargo of war supplies, including
25i1 cases OF cartridges and 1886 bales
of cotton.
The fire according to the wireless mes
sage sent by Captain Julian is No. 5
reserve coal bunker deep in the hold
amidships. This message said the vessel
WAS in no danger at all
I'VE are not alarmed" said Paul
Faguet. general agent of the French line
Bunker fires are not uncommon. nor are
they generally very serious. as they are
ANY, from the cargo space. There is
every reason to believe that the fire is
not serious. If 1t were, Captain Juham
would undoubtedly have given his posi-
ton and S. O. s. signals calling for help
would have been sent out"
The one wireless message reached here
about 2:3O p. m. 1t read as follows: "F'ire
in No. 5 reserve coal bunker Fighting
fire and have turned to Halifax. Hope to
put it out. No danger at all"
The Rochambeau left New York Satur-
day afternoon. 1t was estimated that
she had sailed 600 miles when the wire
less message was received to-day. This
would still keep her within the ocean
lane travelled by the big trans Atlantic
liners and there is reason to believe that
at least three ships are within close
steaming distance available for aid in
emergency.
1t was estimated tonight that life saw
Ing accommodations were aboard for
l,5o persons. more than twice as many
as sailed. In addition, the steamer is
equipped with the usual fire-fghting APP
paratus required in the case of ocean
liners
The big cargo which weighted tn
steamer low in the water as She sale
away consisted chiefly Of iron and steel,
machinery, copper and steel wire. brass
rods. empty shells and guns. So far as
could be learned tonight the cartridges
were the only explosives aboard
There seemed to be some doubt as to
whether Captain Juham would take hs
vessel into Halifax, although his MESA &c
said that he was making for that port.
Mr.. Faguet thought that If the fire were
extnguished and the damage slight, the
Rochambeau might resume her trip to
Bordeaux without touching at Halifax.
In this event he expected another mes
sage from Captain Juham.
In the absence of information defining
the cause of the fire, maritime circles
wondered to-day If the accident was an
other Of the long list attributed to the
activity of bomb carriers and placers
Ship after ship laden with war supplies
for the allies has sailed out of New York
within the past eight months. with bombs
secreted in her hold, and in many cases
these bombs have exploded. Within the
past few days the steamer Riolages
from New York to Queenstown witt
sugar caught fire at sea and put into
Halifax with fire in her hold Her captain
attributed the fire to a bomb hidden in
sugar bag. Sugar seemed to have beer
selected frequently for hiding bombs OF
ships. The Rochambeau, it was said
carried no sugar
The list of steamers sailing from New
York to Europe upon which bombs wer
found and in some cases explosions oc
Cured, and their sailing dates, includ
the following.
"Touraine, March 6: Devon City. Apri
q; Lord Erne, April %; Crossington Court
April 90; Samland, May |; Lord Down
shires May I: Kirkoswald. May
Strathtay, May S; Rankdale, May S
Nrnnehaha, July o. Craigsde July "a
Athinai, September s.; SAINT Anna. Sep
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