CAPTAIN'S STORY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 7

CAPTAIN'S STORY.

OF THE MID-ATLANTIC TRAGEDY.

STARTLING THEORY OF THE CAUSE. A RUSSIAN EMIGRANT'S CIGARETTE. By Tolojrratih—Press Association—Copyright London, October 14. The explosion on tlio Yolturno is attributed to tlio smashing of boxes of chemicals in the hold mingling thoir cunteuts.

Wisborg, a survivor. who is aboard the Minneapolis, states that sailors jumped overboard when the fire became serious, and that many were afterwards hauled back by the passengers. j\ wireloss messago from the Kroonland states that Captain Inch is temporarily blind, owing to injuries received from fire.

CAPTAIN INCH'S STORY. (Rec. Octobor, 15, 8.35 p.m.) London, October 15. i Captain Inch", in his narrative of tho disaster, states that tho firo on tho Volturno originated in No. 1 hold, aud spread so rapidly that tho watch below were imprisoned and burned to death.

"The chief officer discovered the firo in No. 1 hold. Tho flames burnt through tho hatches, and fired the forecastle deck and fittings, and gained rapidly, reaching to the height of the foremast light.

"Tho watch below," continued tho captain, "wero imprisoned and incinerated, whilo a series of explosions wrecked tlie saloon and hospital amidships, and damaged tho steering gear. "I sent tho wireless call for help," narrated Captain Inch, "and as it seemed impossible to save the ship, we provisioned and swung out tho boats. The ship was rolling heavily and two of tho boats were smashed. Tho third was successfully lowered. It contained tho cabin passengers, tho first officer, and crow, and stewards. This boat was capsized, and its occupants thrown into tho water; it was righted by the chief officer, and several of tho orew reentered her. The fourth boat contained the steerage passengers, and was in charge of -Mr. Langsell, tho fourth officer. It got away safely. Tho fifth boat was caught under tho stern and wrecked.

"Meanwhile, tho chiof engineer, two seamon, and myself fought the firo, which, apparently, was subdued. I then ordered them not to lowor any' more boats, as I bad by this timo received word from tho Carmania.

At last the passengers became calmer. Then wo discovered that tbe burikor was ablaze. Wo closed the watertight doors and poured water into No. 2 hatch, tho fire continuously gaining all tho whilo. The Carmania then arrived, but her life-rafts drifted past us out of reach. By dusli other steamers arrived, and each futilely attempted to reach us. Tho saloon chart-liouso was 'now aflame, and all tho dock before tho funnel was blazing fiercely. "Just before midnight an explosion wrecked tho wiroless aerial. The firo worked through to tho women's steerage cabins to the nftor end of tlio ship, but we kept this knowledge from' the passengers whd woro quietly brought out. Tho chief engineer, the Marconi operators, tho. sailors, and myself spent tho night in making small rafts.

"Tho fire had burned through tho deck before daylight, and at five next morning tho liners' boats camo alongside, and tho passengers wero loaded in an orderly manner without panic. Tho women wept when help camo alongside. I searched tho ship afterwards, but found no 0116 aboard, and then decided to abandon her, as No. 3 hatch was then alight.',' WAS IT A CIGARETTE? .WHAT A GERMAN PASSENGER SAW.

(Rec. October 16, 1.15 a.m.) London, October 15. The Cimard liner Campania reports that the VolturiSo was still smoking on Sunday. Otherwise her hull/appeared to be in good condition. '

Batches of survivors have reached Havre, Rotterdam, and Liverpool. Various theories are put forward as to tho cause of the fire. Herr Badlce, a German, relates that although smoking in tho steerage quarters was prohibited, ho saw a Russian emigrant smoking a cigarette. When tho steward appeared, the man dropped the cigarette through a hole in tho floor, amongst tho emigrants' baggage, and . Badke afterwards lifted tho trap-door of the compartment, which was on fire, and he immediately raised an alarm. The Volturno's doctor declares that tho allegations of panic amongst the crew aro unfounded. A frenzied woman £assenger throw her child to the woman's boat-crow. It fell into the water, and Hazelwood, a sailor, plunged ovorboard, and at tho risk of being orushed between tho boat and tho VoP turno's sido, rescued it. Tho survivors agree that tho loss of life was largely due to tho panicstricken people jumping into the sea. Oho woman throw her child into tho water and jumped after it. Three' boys in ono family leaped overboard, while the mother and her other children' wero saved.

"Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. London, October 14. Describing the roscuo of tho Volturuo's passongors, Mr. Mansfield, of New York, said that though linos and rafts were thrown to the people in tho water, none attempted to soizo them. They appeared to bo stricken helplosß. Ho saw a man kiss his wifo and children, throw them overboard, and then jump after thom. He was visible for a moment, struggling frantically, then ho disappeared. "It was awful," added Mr. Mnnsfiold.

Mr. Duller, anotlior Now. York resident, Btates that tho ropes woro cast off tho lifoboats ; and tlio Volturno's passengers, wearing lifebelts, mado fast. The boats were thon slung overboard. Ho saw no panic. When thp Marcoui operator on the Volturno got in touch with tho oil steamor Narragansett, tho captain of tho latter replied; "I'll be up with tho milk in tho morning." It was a truo promise. He arrived early on Friday morning, and poured a hundred tons of oil on to tno waves,. reducing tho forco of the sea considerably.

(By TekgTaph—Prees Association.) Auckland, Octobor 15. The seaman inentionod in tho cablo as having performed heroic rescue work at tho scene of tho Volturno disaster is Edward Hcighway, son of Mr. J. F. Hcighway, formerly of Thames;