The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-08
BY JERRY EDGERTON
seaman Aboard :. : Moro Castle
.r..-.---.--ha raaa nu rrrIfed PrassI

seaman Aboard :. :. MORO Castle
tCopvrirht 1885, by United Press
SPRING LAKE, ". j.. Sept. g.
II came suddenly IN the night.
The liner was slipping along as
usual. rolling some in the sea that
was running.
I was of watch. asleep in my
bunk, when the general alarm wax
ened me about $50. got up sleepy
and grumpy. Thought it was a drill
When I looked out of the dead
light-that's the porthole-I came
to with a shock.
The fire was reflected on the
water.
1 grabbed a life preserver and
shook three other fellows in my
bunk and hold them to start for
their fire stations.
There we're others on B deck but
none of us could reach them.
There was a wall of fire through
midships. Some Of the crew told
me we had been hit by lightning.
All Fasten Life Belts
We made aft on B deck and a
lot of other people. many Of them
men and women passengers wear
ing nothing more than their sleep
ing clothes we're heading the same
way, all trying TO fasten their life
belts as they went.
Some women we're crying oh,
my Cod" One man, a foreigner.
got down on his knees and started
praying.
1 grabbed him by the back of the
collar and told him TO come along
told him to do his praying later.
Officers went through the crowd
after We got up aft and told every
one that the fire was under control
but one look convinced us he was
Over-Optimistic.
The life boats were up on a deck
but none of us could get to them
because the fire was eating away
he ladders leading up to it.
We connected hOses-sOme pas
sengers helped-and We advanced
toward the flames but they sure
were thirsty.
Decks ScOrch Feet
Finally the decks began to get
hot-and most or us we're bare
footed. I was thinking about the
poem-the boy stood on the burn
ing deck-and smiled to myself at
finding myself in the same fix.
Then my bunk pals shook me out
of it.
We saw a couple of the crew
jump overheard.
We decided to do the same thing.
AS We headed for the rail two
girls came up and aSked-pOlitely.
but a little eXcited-if e-e'd mind
they're going along with us.
said. Sure, help yourself and
jump in"
We leaped together.
A couple Of others thought it was
a good idea and followed.
Screaming for Help
I looked around and this is what
I saw. The ship was afiame almost
from stem TO stern. I saw paSSen-
gers with their heads through the
ports. screaming for help.
I saw other people on top deck.
running around as though they were
dancing on hot Goals.
Through the rain-and Il was
coming down in Sheets-I could see
a couple Of rescue boats. one Of them
a hree-stacker.
Finally. We decided to hit for
shore.
We became separated in the
downpour which at times even hid
the shore light.
When it let up We found one Of
the girls missing.
We don't know what happened 10
her. The other seemed about ready
TO give UP and said 70 her:
Come on grille. its only a short
walk"
About two miles of shore We came
across a lifeboat that was being
towed BY some pleasure yacht.
They picked us up. And all I've
got left IS a lot Of memories Of an
unpleasant experience and this dol
lar watch which kept running for
three hours after We hit the water.
I talked 70 the other men in the
life boat and it's my guess that
the fire apparently started in the
recreation room smidships. then
worked forward and when the wind
switched. moved aft.
one thing is certain. it was al
ready out OF control when IL was
discovered.
A lot OF the passengers must have
died. trapped in their cabins Most
OF them vert concentrated amid
ships.
Wen. I don't know what III GO
now, but I'll probably Try 10 make
my way 20 Milwaukee. used 10
live there years ago.
I have been 70 sea three years.
I went for adventure, but all ! ever
got until today was in magazines.
Now I've had my fill-for life.