Evening star., 1925-11-18
ONE DEAD, z HURT
AS FLAMES SWEEP
SHIP; +; 366 RESCUED
Many ScantiIy Clad Passen-
gers Taken From Lenape,
Off Delaware Capes.
MAN, 60, PANIC-STRICKEN,
LEAPS FROM FIERY DECK
Eight Injured in Hospital,
Church Thrown Open to Care for
Suffering Survivors.
Bv the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LEWES. Del. November lS.-One
life was lost in the race with death
by the blazing Clyde liner Lenape OF
the Delaware Capes early today. All
the remainder of her passengers and
crew. numbering 367, were safely ac-
counted for OF these a dozen pas
sengers and crew members suffered
exposure and burns, and eight were
taken to the Beebe Hospital here.
The man who lost his life was iden-
titled as Robert Leverton, about so
Years old, believed to be of Whitman
Sett. Mass. He became panic-stricken
as flames burst through deck while
passengers were being taken off the
burning ship and jumped overheard.
He was not missed by the ships oth-
GERS. but his body was picked up in
Delaware Bay by fisherman hours
after all hands had been landed here.
List of Injured.
OF the injured eight were taken
to The Beebe Hospital here. Three
or four others were treated and left.
Those in the hospital are:
Mrs. John Shimko, Brooklyn, y. Y,
bruises.
Mrs. Mary Nolan. New York City,
shock and exposure.
Miss Minnie Dore, New York City,
exposure.
William Sheldon, Long Branch,
n. j.. exposure.
John Miles Woodruff. jr., months
old. son of Mr.. and Mrs. J. NJ Wood
ruff. Rochester, y. Y, exposure.
Mrs. John Bennett, Sag Harbor,
n. Y, sprained knee
Mrs Wilhpninp Sanders New York
City, exposure.
Randolph Ford, negro member of
crew, burned foot.
Arthur w. Pye. passenger traffic
manager of the Clyde line, said the
passengers would be taken by special
train to Philadelphia and from that
point those desiring to return to New
York would be sent by another train
TO this city. Others desiring to con-
tinue their journey TO Miami will
be sent either by boat or train, he
said.
No Panic on Ship.
According to passengers and mem
bers of the crew, there was no undue
excitement, and the transfer of al
hands from the burning vessel to res
cue ships was accomplished as
smoothly as circumstances would per
nit.
There were many women and chill
dren among the passengers, and some
Of them left the blazing vessel ir
the dark hours before dawn scantilS
clad Some wore only their night
clothing. All wore life preservers un
til they were landed.
Hotel accommoda tions here were
inadequate to care for survivors and
the Presbyterian Church was thrown
open for the comfort of the men
women and children, many of whom
were suffering from the cold. Towns
peCple were aroused and soon hot
coffee. sandwiches and other food was
rushed to the assembly hall of the
church.
The fire started about 1915 last
night while the ship was off Atlantic
City. The night was clear and cold
the sea calm. The blaze started in the
aft-hold, and was instantly fought by
members of the crew. About II pm.
some of the passengers noticed smoke.
and their anxious inquiries brought
assurance from Capt. Devereaux and
his staff that there was no danger.
Flames Spread Rapidly
However. the flames continued to
spread, and the smoke became more
noticeable. Many of the passengers
left their cabins.
At 11:45, according to some OF the
pa ssen gers, the vessels whistle was
blown, and all hands were advised to
come on deck. All were reassured there
was no serious danger. Previously, at
111S pm, Capt. Devereaux sent out
an sos message There was immediate
response, and he found that the near
est ship to him was 20 miles away
and the next 40 miles.
BY this time the Lenape was abrea at
Of Cape May, and Capt. Devereaux
decided he could make the Delaw ware
Breakwater. on the Delaware side of
the mouth of Delaware Bay. The ship
was met by the steam pilot boat Phila-
delphia, the Coast Guard cutter Kick
spoo and Coast Guard boats from Cold
Spring Harbor n. j., and Lewes Capt.
DeTereauX called for a pilot, and one
was taken aboard from the Phiiadel-
phia.
The Lenape. with little fire shown 2
but with great volumes Of smoke
pouring from her aft hold. came to
anchor about miles off the Delaware
shore. The mouth Of the bay here is
10 miles wide.
Drop Into Water.
The kickapoo, which followed the
Lenape into the hreakwater, a Coast
Guard patrol boat from the Lewes
station and several small craft which
had trailed the burning vessel for sew
eral miles Immediately dashed for her
sides. With Il strong wind whipping
the flames over the liners stern, pas
sengers could be discerred from shore
dropping over the sides and sliding
down ropes into the water.
The crew Of a pilot sailboat, the only
craft able to reach the dock before
daylight, told of heroic battle amid
the flames on the Lenape's deck when
the rescue craft came alongside. The
crews swarmed over the Clyde liner S
smoking rails, fought their way to pas
songers who had been cut off in the
interior of the ship and dragged them
10 the sides. Lines were attached to
them and they were ordreed to jump.
From shore they could be discerned
dangling above the water as the life
boats and other craft ran up under
the Lenape's blazing stern to pick
them up.
Following the safe removal of all
passengers. the Lenape was scuttled.
officials estimate the damage to cargo
and vessel at s3,000,000.
Virtually all baggage was lost and 40
automobiles were burned. n. Shomcr.
Saratoga Sp"ir2s. y y. ~ - ay