New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-10
French Minister of Marine
to Make Report to
Government.
CAPTAIN LAUDS WORK
OF AMERICAN NURSES
Cheered Fire Fighters, and
Treated Them When They
We're Overcome.

Havrc, March 9.--Rellef that Spy
was aboard La Touraine, which docked
here yesterday afternoon, has been re-
vived by the activity Of marine officials
and representatives OF the French line.
Admiral Ch8rlier, OF the Ministry OF
Marine, and Director Duoret, of the
steamship company, have begun an IN
quiry into all phases of the fire aboard
the liner. Admiral Charlier will sub
nit his report to the government
The conduct of the nurses aboard !he
burning steamship has excited general
admiration. As soon as La Touraine
locked and the passengers were gotted
ashore, Captain Caussin gave out
statement. praising in the highest
terms the nerve and discipline the
young women displayed IN the crisis
aboard his boat.
TOO much praise cannot be given
those nurses" he said. They realized
the danger we were all in, yet not one
Of them showed the slightest sign OF
fear or hysteria. With the fire licking
its way TO the freight compartment
where the explosives were stored, they
were out on deck giving every encour-
agement TO my officers and crew. They
cheered the men and kept up their
courage. It was magnificent. When
ever our men were overcome in fighting
the fire the nurses cared for them
Fire Confined to One Hold.
The passengers apparently were none
the worse for their thrilling expe-
rience. The fire, which was restricted
70 one of the holds. was eytinguished
Mt midnight on Sunday, and the last
stage of the voyage was completed
without incident
Lifebelts were distributed among the
passengers and the boats were prepared
for instant use as soon as the hames
were discovered, but at no time was
there any real danger, according TO
Captain Caussln. who said the IS. o. s.
call was sent merely as a precaution.
There was neither panic nor disorder.
he said. the passengers accepting the
situation calmly in the belief that the
fire would be conquered and that other
steamers would reply promptly TO the
wireless summons.
The Rotterdam. one Of the vessels
which answered La Touraine's call and
stood by until the fire was extin-
guished, left the French liner 4.
Prawe Point. England. The French
cruisers Guichen and Dupetit Thouar-.
which also went 70 La Touraine's as
sistance, escorted her AS far as Cher
bourg.
Report Of Captain Iaussin.
"The fire was discovered at O'Clock
a m Saturday, March 6. when we were
in north latitude 48.1i and west lonCi-
tude 21.06.' said Captain Caussin. at
was in the base of one Of the VENT
lators in the boiler room. Heavy smoke
found its way 10 the bridge. While
the men in the boiler room sought TO
extinguish the blaze. which was not
serious in itself. turned my attention
to other parts of the ship.
AT 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 10 stop
the vessel in order that | might leave
the bridge for the scene Of the blaze.
We discovered flames eating their way
toward he postoiiice and beginning TO
attack neighboring cabins. We discov
cred that the flames were -prcading to
the partitions and floor Of Compart
> so as TO involve large amount Of
freight. Believing that so large a part
of the cargo might t,ke fire, and find
ing we were not able 10 deal with il
easily, decided to send GU: call for
aid Meanwhile, through holes made in
the partitions. we obtained a view of
the fire. which then was attacked with
jets Of water and steam. Sunday morn
ing. the It'll. we had mastered the blaze
and the danger was past"
Owing to III, early ARRIVAL Of La
lorraine at llavre nearly all the pas
sengcrs were able TO proceed to Paris
on the train leaving at p. m. The ship
shows no external signs Of the fire.