The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-07-08
LINER RACES
To PORT WITH.
CARGO ATTIRE
Steamship Oxonian, Loaded
With Cotton, Return for
Help to Pensacola.
CARGO RECEIVED
AT GALVESTON
Fire Reported in Two Com
partments, Both Filled
With Fleecy Stapte.

With fire raging in two compart-
ments filed with cotton, the Leyland
liner Oxonian, 4o78 tons, commanded
by Captain Robb, was brought into
port Friday in reply to calls for help.
The tug Sea King, commanded by
Capt. Peter Olsen, and the Z. E. Simp-
son, commanded by Capt. Etheridge,
were rushed to the vessel in distress,
the Sea King putting Pilot John Caro-
aboard the Oxonian, which was an
chored probably mile or more from
/ the sea buoy. Captain Caro-, despite
the fact that the east and black buoys
/ marking the entrance to the bay were
| out Of position, safely brought the big
steamer into port, and anchored the
Oxonian in the bay. At that point, by
means Of the steamer Nellie, a num-
Der of Pensacolians, interested in the
( steamer, went to the latter. John A.
Merritt, local agent for the Leylane-
liners; A. S, Oliver, local representa-
tive for Lloyds and underwriters: j.
Ed Abercrombie, harbormaster, and
several others were the Nellie's pas
sengers.
Fire, Then Storm.
Capt. Robb, of the 0xonian, report
ed that he was at sea about twenty
four hours when the Sire was discov-
cred in one compartment where cot
ton was stored. The vessel carried
1920 bolus. Immediately the steamer
steered toward Pensacola. light. We'd
nesday afternoon, he said, his ship
fran into the wickednest storm that I
have ever seen" The skipper has
sailed the seas for many years, but
he let it be known that it was the
worst storm he had ever experienced.
One Of the visitors informed him it
recorded wind velocity of 104 miles
: in Pensacola. IF it blew that hard
in Pensacola, it blew BOA miles out
where we We're" he is quoted as say
ing.
Caught Fire in Galveston.
Upon later investigation, it was
discovered that fire ragged in two com
partments, where several thousand
bales were stored. This cotton, how
, ever, was loaded at Galveston, and
upon the occasion of the Oxonian's
visit here last Tuesday the matches
where the cotton had been stored
were found sealed and remained clos
ed and tightly battened down, Just as
i they were when the ship cleared from
Galveston last Sunday. Therefore
there was no way for the fire to have
started while the vessel was in PEN
sacola harbor.
The extent of the fire could not be
! definitely ascertained last night. It
was certain, however, that it was con
fined to the two compartments alone,
and that it is thought, and was so re-
ported last night, that there was no
reason to believe the trouble will
spread to other matches.
The Oxonian steamed from Calves
ton Sunday last, coming to Pensacola
] for supply of bunker coal. By 5
: o'clock the following day the Oxonian
had cleared the bar and steamed away
to the westward, on her way to Liver
pool.
Ship Is Damaged.
! The Oxonian suffered considerably
from the hurricane. Her house is par
= tally stove in, an alleyway was
y crushed and all her life boats were
smashed. It was reported that a
) member of the crew had been severely
hurt, but the ship carries a physician
q and he was attended abaord.
= Will Discharge Cotton.
! The tug Sea King stood by the
4 liner last evening after the latter hal
g anchored in the bay, and later was
relieved by the tug E. E. Simpson
y These two vessels, aided by the tug
is Nellie, viii play an important par
st in endeavoring to subdue the smould-
Ut ering fire. Fire IN cotton, as is gen
he orally known, does not blaze, buf
IN burns and shoulders, and a sparl
viii cause very serious fire. Jus
la how this and numerous other cottor
IL fires have started, remain unsolveC
ne M xrs+e Ties