The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-16
SHIP INFO PORT

Continued from Page One.l
When we went to the upper deck, 1
had on only my pajamas and she her
night robe.
when we got there, practically all
of the first class passengers We're
gathered near the bridge. It was still
an hour before sun up and a chill
wind was blowing, but the ocean was
unusually smooth.
Noting that my wife was clad only
in her night robe, one of the stewards
asked the number of our stateroom
and went below and got a dress for
her. That was all he was able to get.
for by now the fire was spreading
rapidly. In our Stateroom in addi-
ton to our clothing were jewels and
money, the total of which would say
was $4,000. L don't believe that 1
honestly could say that we thought of
this money or the Jewelry, some of
which we cannot replace, ever entered
thought about was whether we could
escape with our lives from the
steamer.
Small Boats Were Lowered.
About 8 o'clock in the morning,
the vessel gave a sudden list to port,
a thirty degree list one of the officers
said. This really was the only time
there was a sense of fear among the
passengers. We thought it was going
to turn turtle. Apparently realizing
the vessel was now doomed, Captain
Lester gave orders for the small boats
to be lowered.
There was not the slightest, con-
fuson in getting into the boats. want
to say that the women passengers
were even more cool than the men,
altho several of them did at the last
minute insist that cabin boys rescue
their pet canaries
IAN unusual feeling of jovia1ty
seemed to possess all of the passen-
gers as the small boats drifted about.
They shouted jokes to and fro and the
women led in singing, It's a Long,
Long Way to Tfpperary.' Garry Me
Back to Old Virginia. and some of the
newer popular airs"
Disembarked Early Today.
Wilmington. Cal. Oct. 16.-salvaged
passengers and 1876 members of the
crew of the burned Los Angeles-Ha-
waiian liner, City of Honolulu, disem-
marked here today from the United
States army transport Thomas.
The passengers were in a happy
mood when they walked down the
gang plank, even tho some were clad
in parts of clothing hastily snatched
when the fire call sounded aboard the
liner early last THURSDAY morning
when the vessel was $40 miles from
it's destination.
Altho the transport Thomas arrived
off the San Pedro breakwater at
1880 o'clock Sunday night, the pas
sengers were held in quarantine until
morning, the customs service officials
invoking the time honored law of
pratique.
Meanwhile, thru the night the gov
eminent quarantine doctors slept
peacefully in their bungalow ten miles
away.
Marines Board Vessel.
Shortly after the Thomas dropped
anchor, a speedy motorboat sailed
from the San Pedro submarine base,
rdrew alongside and three marines
climbed the Jacobs ladder and took
up their position at convenient points
where the vessel could be boarded.
From the fragmentary nara tives
called thru the ships megaphone
which follows, is the story of the ship
and about the fire which broke out
in the City of Honolulu.
The vessel was half way to her
home port, approximately $40 miles
Wisps of smoke were discovered is
suing forth from beneath hatch No. 6.
This was at o'clock Thursday morn
ing. Ordinarily, a cargo fire is not
considered dangerous, many vessels
coming into port with smoking cargo
or coal bunkers.
Fire Spread Rapidly.
Captain H. r. Lester Immediately
summoned the full crew and ordered
water pumped into the hold. So rap
idly did the fire spread, however, that
Captain Lester instructed Betty STAN
hope to telephone all passengers to as
semble on deck Immediately for yprac-
tice fire drill. This forethought of
the captain, passengers said, I'M
doubtedly allayed fear and prevented
what otherwise might have developed
into a fatal panic.
Most of the passengers, men and
women, came laughing to the main
saloon, amused at the odd assortment
OF kimonas, bath robes, pajamas and
night robes suddenly put on display.
Shortly, it dawned on the sleepy
throng that the fire drill was grim
reality.
Orchestra Began to Play.
The ships orchestra began to play.
The air was Three O'Clock in the
Morning" This familiar and tuneful
air Gained any tendency at nervous
ness. Partners paired off to dance.
Then the ship listed and the order
| czme at O'Clock to take to the
boats. 1t was all done calmly and
the fourteen boatloads faced their
vigil Until rescue came with the same
fortitude they displayed on learning
OF the fire.