New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-02
LINER, AFIRE,
RACES TO PORT
Few of GAG on Phila.
delpkia Knew of
Midsea Blaze.

With fire still burning in one OF
her cargo holds and smoke belching
from her two tunnels, the American
liner Philadelphia raced into port yes
terday five hours ahead Of time-to
discharge her GAG passengers from Iiv-
erpool. The blaze. which presumably
had been smouldering for several days.
was not discovered until late THURSDAY
afternoon when the Philadelphia was
500 miles from New York. A steward
noticed that the floor in the steerage
dining saloon was hot, and an investi-
cation was ordered Immediately.
Captain II. Candy. accompanied BY
Chief Engineer Joyce, went below TO
hold No. 7, which is far aft. directly
beneath the steerage quarters. There
he .'ound several thin sprals Of smoke
coming from the hold The captain
ordered full head of steam turned
into the hold. fearing to remove the
matches and allow the blaze 70 feed
on the rush Of air
Several hours later when the fire
was thought to be quenched he ordered
the steam turned of and the matches
removed that he might investigate the
damage.
Crew Driven Back.
As the first hatch was lifted a burst
OF flame. steam and smoke drove the
crew back, and 1t was several minutes
before the hatch could be securely bat
tened down. The steam was turned on
again, and was still pouring into the
hold when the Philadelphia docked.
Shortly after the fire was discovered
all the steerage passengers were moved
tc other quarters, the officers giving
the reason that the baggage beneath
Il EN- had TO be tabulated before ar
rival. No mention Of the fire was made
TO the passengers, and il was only
scant five in the first cabin who were
aware Of its existence.
Among the latter was Dr. Joseph
Byrne. q celebrated New York neurolo-
gist.
con Thursday evening, when
ltdiUtN VI ANe llIet L Itll no excite
ment," he said, "as | believed we would
get ample warning TO leave in the
ships boats, should that necessity
arise. Everything went on as usual.
with the exception that the forward
hold was opened and all the mail and
much of the passengers luggage
brought on deck. The only indication
that anything was amiss below were
the stewards. all Of whom appeared un-
usually nervous. Instead of the ruddy
glow. many of the table stewards np-
peared quite pale, and talked only in
whispers.
Fire Under Control.
after dinner ! went up on deck,
where ! remained until long after mid
night, when word WAS brought that the
fire was under control. To be nearly
ir the middle of the Atlantic. with the
knowledge that fire may break out
any minute below, is not an envlable
experience. and for that reason | am
happy to set foot on land again.
Captain Candy issued a statement
late Yesterday afternoon, in which he
minimized the fire to the greatest de-
cree possible. lie said he did not know
What had caused the confiagratlon, put
thought il was spontaneous combuStioh,
No. Z hold was filled with cases OF
wocllen cloth, n large consignment OF
vomen's hats and a quantity OF TN III
bars. III
lie added that the hold would re-
main closed until tomorrow, "heh u
would be opened by longshoremen aiter
all the steerage passengers mao peeh
rcnoved. Captain Candy believes, how
.L ho Gra
COMPLETELY extinguished, but he kept
tbe steam turned on merely as pre-
cautionary measure.
Learn Of Fire Here.
7, wa. news 10 most of the passen-
cor. yhen reporters inquired their
cmotions during fire at sea. Slr
Iorbert Tree, the English actor, VINO
ar,;ved TO giyc Shakespearean roper
go, an tour. said he was unaware OF
~ ares existence until Informed on
Go dock. He was accompanied by ms
laughter. Miss Iris Tree, who came 10
"chonorone" her father.
W;ss FIsie Mackay, Sir Herberts
,oad;no lsdy. who will open with him
ic"p 49, IN October 8 In the character
u, bune poleyn, in king Henry VIII,
"a 10, heard Of the fire either.
81, would have been so exciting II
Ia only known about II before.
sh. said "You know, ] have always
,,.i.bed 10 play the part. OF heroine IN
,eai life. but fate has never given me
the opportunity. p.u.ao,ohio
Others 10 Arrive on the rhiisdelphin
;rcluded George Bnklanoh' kussian
hs,itone. and Nine. Elvira hmhIar,
coioratara soprano. ootn 70 ~ romnsny