Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-10
CAPTAIN DESCRIBES
FIRE ON TOUUAINE
Crew Fights BlaSe for More Than g
Day and Finally Subdues 1t
Without Help.
AID CALLS ONLY A PROBATION

HAVRE. March "A rigid inquiry
already has been begun into all
phases of the fire at sea aboard the
French line steamer La Touraine,
which locked here at o'clock yes
terday afternoon, and landed all its
passengers. Admiral Charlier of the
ministry of marine and Director
Durorot of the Compagnie General
Traus-Atlantique boarded the vessel
upon it's arrival and started the in
vestigation at once. The report Of Ad-
miral Charlier will be submitted to
the government.
The passengers apparently were none
Of the worse for their thrilling expert
encs. The fire which was confined to
one of the holds. was extinguished at
midnight Sunday and the last stage of
tho voyage was completed without in
cident.
Life Belts Distributed.
Life belts were distributed among the
passengers and the boats were prepared
for instant use as soon as the flames
were discovered but at no time was there
any real danger. according TO state
ment made by Captain Caussin who de-
clNred the s. o. S. call for assistance
was sent out merely as a measure of
precautlon. There was no disorder ana
no panic he said. the passengers accept
ing the situation calmly In the belief
that the fire would be conquered and
that other steamers would reply promptly
to the wireless summona
The steamer Rotterdam, one of the
vessels which answered La Touraine's
call and stood by until the fire was ex-
tinEuished, left the French liner at
Prawle Point, England. The French
cruisers cuichen and Dupletit Thouars,
which also went to La Touraine's assist
ance. escorted 1t, however. as far as
Cherbourg and then continued on their
way.
other vessels which answered Captain
Caussin's call were informed that there
was no need for their services and con-
tinued their trips after receiving the
thanks Of the liners captain.
Captain Tells of Fire.
Captain Causan' told the story of the
fire after he had taken his vessel to It's
berth.
'The fire was discovered at a. m.
Saturday. March Q. when we were in
north latitude ISIS and west longitude
NOS" he said. 'It was in the base of
one OF the ventilators in the boiler room.
Heavy smoke found it's way to the bridge.
While the men In the boiler room sought
to extingliish the blaze. which was not
serious in itself, 1 turned my attention
TO other parts of the ship.
1T this moment one of the night watch
reported hearing the cracking of flames
| forward. / ordered all the crew to their
stations and as the ship was In a mist
gave directions to stop the vessel In
order that might leave the bridge for
the scene OF the blaze. We discovered
flames eating their way toward the post
office and beginning to attack neighbor-
ing cabins. We discovered that the
flames were spreading to the partitions
and floor OF compartment No. 2, SO as
to involve a large amount of freight. Be-
Iievins that so large a part OF the cargo
might take fire and finding we were not
able to deal with it easily. decided to
send out a call for aid. Meanwhile,
through holes made IN the partitions we
obtained a view OF the fire which then
was dtlaSheu VIII 'e'S VI 49, $50
steam. Sunday morning, the 7th, we
had mastered the blaze and danger was
past" r
Captain Caussin paid tribute to the
GOODNESS OF his officers and Grew. Owing
to the early arrival OF La Touraine at
Havre. nearly all the passengers were
able to proceed to Paris on the train
leaving 5 D. m. The ship shows no ex-
lternaI sign of the fire. II was admitted
that military supplies were included in
the cargo which was threatened.