THE VOLTURNO FIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 16 October 1913, Page 5

THE VOLTURNO FIRE.

A TRAGIC INCIDENT. "I'LL BE UP WITH THE MILK IN THE MORNING." 'Times'—'Sydney Sun' Special Cables. (Received Oct. 15, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 14. Describing the rescue of the Voltumo's passengers, Mr Mansfield, of New York, said that though lines and rafts were thrown to the people in the water, none attempted to seize them. They appeared to be stricken helpless. He saw a man kiss his wife and children, throw them overboard, and then jump after them. He was visible for a mdment struggling frantically ; then he disappeared. "It was awful," added Mr Mansfield. Mr Duller, another New York restdent, states that the ropes were cast off the lifeboats, and the Voltunio's passengers, wearing lifebelts, made fast. The boats were then slung overboard. He saw no panic. When the Marconi operator on the Voltuino got in touch with the oil steamer Narragansett, the captain of the latter replied: "I'll be up with the milk in the morning." It was a true promise; he arrived early on Friday morning and poured a hundred tons of oil ota. to the waves, reduoing the force of the sea considerably.

CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. SAILORS JUMP OVERBOARD. (Received Oct. 15, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 14. The explosion on the Voltumo is attributed to the smashing of boxes of chemicals in the hold mingling their contents. 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. A wireless message from the Kroonland state that Captain Inch is temporarily blind, owing to injuries received from fire.

CAPTAIN'S NARRATIVE. / ORIGIN OF THE FEtE. (Received Last Night, 10 o'clock.) LONDON, Oct. 15. According to Captain Inch's narrative, the fire originated in No. 1 hold, and spread so rapidly that the watch below were imprisoned and burned ,to death. A series of explosions wreck;*! the saloon. The chiefi officer's boat, with cabin passengers, capsized, most of the latter being drowned. (By Telegrash.—Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Last Night, The seaman mentioned in the cable as having performed heroic rescue work at the scene of the Voltumo disaster is Edward Heigh way, son of Mr J. F. Heighway, formerly oi the Thames.