STRANGE SCENE AT SEA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 11315, 6 September 1898, Page 1

STRANGE SCENE AT SEA.

A thrilling story of the sea has been made known by the arrival at New "York of the steamer Ardandhu from Jamaica. A fire broke out in her hold on the evening of July 25. Seven steerage passengers in a panic attempted to sei«e the lifeboat and leave, but th? third mate drew his pistol and threatened to shoot the first man who entered the boat. By his almost unaided tfforts he drove the cowed steerage passengers to another part of the vessel, and held them completely in check. The women and children were placed in the boats, and at midnight, with the other passengers from the ship, they were rowed away by a few of the crew to a safe distance from the vessel, where the seamen lay on their oars, while the remainder of the crew fought the flames on board. By battening down the hold where the fire broke out, and pouring in tons of water, the vessel waß for the time being rendered safe. The boats were called on board agaiD, and the ship proceeded on her way, but tlie fire was not finally extinguis!-cd until she arrived in New York harbour.