Thrilling Times.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 364, 14 March 1902, Page 3

Thrilling Times.

Those on board R.M.S. Port Anthony had a dramatic experience in t:'o South Atlantic Ocean when five days out from port. Most of the passu. ger.s had retired to rest, six hells had just rung, when there was a loud and violent explosion. Dense clouds of steam rose from the engine-room skylight like an eruption of Vesuvius, according to a Birmingham spectator in the Daily Gazette, while the roar Pom below was like a blast furnace. The electric lights were instantly, extinguished. Thirty feet down on the lower gridiron was the chief engineer crawling calm and determined, on his hands and knees amid the throbbing machinery, In spite of scalding water and steam lie and another man managed to stop the engines. Meanwhile word went round among the engineers, firemen, and others on decl; that the chief was not with them, lu tantly every man dashed through tiie darkness to the depths below, The order was given to draw the fires, and was promptly obeyed, dangerous as it was. The men tumbled over each other as the vessel rolled, but recked not whether thev might l.e burned or blown up. Thanks to their energy the. danger to the ship and passengers was soon over, and the brave men scurried on deck, assisting those who were njured^