FIRE THREATENS GERMAN LINER

Southland Times, Issue 23650, 27 October 1938, Page 5

FIRE THREATENS GERMAN LINER

DISTRESS SIGNALS SENT OUT OUTBREAK UNDER CONTROL IN SHORT TIME (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 26, 10.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 26. Three ships—the United States freighters Collamer and American Traveller and the Norwegian liner Europe—are racing across the North Atlantic aftet receiving a distress signal from the German liner Deutschland, which was fighting a .fire in a hold 200 miles southeast of Cape Race (Newfoundland). The Deutschland has 591 passengers and 390 of a crew.

It was confirmed later that the fire was under control and the passengers were out of danger. Conflicting reports caused uncertainty whether there was immediate danger. The Associated Press reported receipt of a message that the fire was under control at 8.29 p.m.—two hours after the first signal—but the passing hours brought no confirmation. Coastal stations reported that the Deutschland was continuing her distress signals, although the extent of the fire was not indicated.

The rescuers expected to arrive at dawn; all were originally within 75 miles.

The situation was complicated by a gale which was sweeping up from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and was expected to strike the Deutschland before dawn.