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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 1916)
0 STEAMER CONGRESS BURNS OFF COOS Wireless Summons Rescue Ships and All Hands on Board Are Saved. BLAZING CRAFT ANCHORED Dredge Mlctale Pick Up Passengers and Crew and Lands Them at . North Bend Race With ' Death Is Thrilling. (Continued From First Page.) great cheer went up, simultaneously from shore and from the Michie. "Are all saved?" was the cry that went up from the dock. ' "Yes, the last one," was the reply. Thanksgiving Is ReaL Then there was cheering and more cheering;, and several "tigers." It was an occasion of real thanksgiving. In Captain George Seeley's cabin on the Michie there were gather a num ber of passengers, who were caring for Mrs. Reig. All refused to desert her lter when hospitable people of North Bend and Marshfield offered comforts of home and lodgings. Among these passengers were Mrs. A. C. Tucker, of Calexico. Cal.; Mrs. 8. K. Sorenson. of Ban Francisco and St. Louis; Mrs. Jacob Fisher, of Winne mucca, Nev and several who refused to tell their names. Offers of enter tainment at private homes had no in fluence upon them and they remained among the last to land. Miss Emma Bchafer also was in the captain's cabin and looking after the comforts of other. She is from Chi cago, and was returning home by way of Seattle and the north. Some Won't Tell Names. When the Michie pulled up at the dock at North Bend passengers were kept on board until they could all be registered. There were many on board who refused to tell their names. Charles F. James, of Branford, On tario, was among those who realized the extent of the disaster. He said he never would travel again on a ship. Mr. James passes some of his time on the Coast, but he was en route home after being la California. Mr. James praised the hospitality of the people of , Coos Bay, who had offered everything the unfortunate travelers needed. Pauengtr Praises Crew.- J. A. Smith, a silk dealer, of San Francisco, was traveling north for pleasure. Mr. Smith said there could not have been anything in maritime skill that could equal the excellence of the work done by the crew of the Congress. He said that on board the Michie, as soon as the first passengers were trans ferred, the galley crew set to work and . the people were provided with tea, cof fee, meats and sandwiches. Estimates Vary Greatly. Estimates of the time the fire started varied greatly, according to the evi dence of various passengers. Walter Stevens, of Piedmont. CaL, said it was 1:30 P. M. Another person said it was 2:30 and Rome said as late as 3:15. Members of the crew who came ashore thought the time was 2:30. Some passengers were in their berths when the alarm was spread about the craft fcy the crew. . Some were excited and went on deck half dressed. Quite a numbr Were on the Michie with un derclothing and heavy wraps. The pas sengers, with few exceptions, said they lost everything they had, and many were penniless. A Very few, those who had berths at the forward part of the vessel, saved suitcases or what clothing they could grab as they ran. There were not many who returned to their rooms, owing to the dense smoke which permeated the after part of the vessel. Steward Relates Story. Chief Steward C. Damsden, who was placed in Charge of the Congress pas sengers Ort the Michie bv Cantafn rn,. ins and Purser Olzer, who remained rear the Congress, told the following story or tne disaster Fire was discovered- In No. .3 hold about S o'clock. At first It Was not considered serious and the smoke was thought to be coming possibly from machinery. We were unable to ascer. tain the origin or exact location of the blaze. When unable to control it. Cid- tain Cousins Immediately wirelessed for help afid started for Coos Bay. We were 30 miles off shore. The fire gained rapidly In fury and smoke soon drove all from the lower decks. "When the decks began to get hot Captain Cousins ordered the anchor cast arid Just then we sighted the bar dredge Michie approaching. Seven boats were lowered. Women and children went first. Women who insisted on their husbands going with them were compelled to wait. "A slight breeze made the smoke so dense on tljo port side that boats could not be lowered there, and passengers all had to leave by the starboard side. "There was no panic. Some persons were elicited and crying, but caused no Commotion. Sea Absolutely Smooth. "The sea was absolutely sViooth. and as soon as the Michie cast anchor the first boats started transferring pas sengers to her. When the passengers were all trans rerreo, Hgnt luggage of passengers was taken aboard the Michie. All per sonal effects from staterooms were saved. When I left, I could bear flames crackling, and the deck was beginning to warp from heat. Rescue reached us in the nick of time. reached San Francisco Wednesday noon, we had the lightest passenger , list In months." Crew Lose Clothes. The members or the crew were so busy fighting the fire that few of them saved anything excepting their clothes, and many came ashore only half dressed. An oiler succumbed to the smoke and was taken on deck by companions. lie soon revived. At midnight the frra appeared pretty well burned out. The chief officers who are staying near to be the first to board the craft, are on tne A. M. Simp sop. Which was to remain until re lieved. - The cleverness of Captain Cousins was enlarged upon here by marine men as the greatest feat of seamanship ever noted on the Pacific Coast. The burning Congress was edged up toward the beach to a point less than a quar ter of a mile from the sandsplt, the anchor Stopped within 300 feet of the Cobs Bay channel, a strange entrance to the captain. He Was guided solely by the buoys. Captain's Coolness Praised. Members of the crew who were about the bridge tell of the great calmness which the -skipper showed. Until the - -- ...... - SPLENDID COAST LINER ON FIRE OFF MARSHFIELD. ' ; - .-rffIJV- - !- k A ..' 1 j c:viV- I.-' '- - .-T, ViiL . ' . 1 VxT ' A ST - vr " ".i"wiini. ill i Ti I ill it n x ti w ,..jl r xr 1 fr-'MaVnr iWKm tin mr last he hoped to save the ship, but when the chief engineer was brought from below partially unconscious and said nothing could be done, he ordered all on deck and the crew off the craft. Third Assistant Engineer Higgins was one of the heroes of the catastro phe. Side by side, ho worked with Chief Martland and also was overcome by smoke, and had to be rescued by other members of the crew. F. Tyson, an assistant in the linen steward's department, who was over come by smoke, is unconscious at ine Mercy Hospital here. purser Helzer was arousea on oec by the alarm, and when he expected to return to get the ship's papers and records the fire had cut him off and there was no way to reach them. They were lost. There was 110,000 of the company s money on board, and the crew was to have been paid tomorrow. Besides this money, there was probably an equal amount of money and valuables be-i longing to the passengers. AH this was in the safe, which is still on the burning vessel. The fire broke out In the second Bold In the steerage from an unknown cause. The Congress was then well out at sea, but the captain set her head toward hore. The flames at first were con fined to the apartment where they originated. However, all efforts of the crew, first to smother the flames and then to flood them out, proved vain. Passengers Behave Well. The passengers, for the most part, behaved well and there was no panic. The ship's officers repeatedly assured those on board that port would be made In ample time for all to be saved. Wireless calls were sent out urging all vessels to come to the rescue and these were repeated at frequent inter vals until the wireless power plant be came disabled and useless. First the main wireless plant be came useless and men tne auxiliary went .down, but not until the Coos Bay station had received the S. O. S. trans mitted weakly by the auxiliary. As a result of this message having been caught ashore, lifesavers from the Government station and an army of volunteers were on the beach when the burning Congress hove in sight. When flret sighted smoke was pouring from the vessel and the volume increased ranldlV. The dredge jviicnie ana tne scnooner Tillamook had started for the open se soon after receipt of the distress call. so when the Congress got within anchoring depth both rescue vessels were there ready to pick up the pas sengers. The transfer went on in plain sight of persons on shore. At times tne smoice irom tne nre on board Completely hid the Congress, but durlne- most of the prociess the view was-SHear, although details could not be observed. Finally, as darkness fell, I the dredge and the schooner were seen 1 Captain Cousins, master or the Con to start for the harbor entrance, and'gress, , said the fire started in the PASSENGER LIST OF Cabln. A ah ton. Marlon: Ayers. H. Broillet, N.: Brown. Mrs. F. G.; Brown. W. L.: Bosted, Mrs. Ameta; Briggs, Olga; Brlggs, Albert; tsnggs. Marion: Buly, Mrs. Marie; Buly. Rob ert; Brownell, J. H.; Brownson, Mrs. Nannie; Barron, Mrs. O.; Barron, O.; Blum, J.; Brown, H.- B.; Brown, Mrs. Esther. Cady. Mary; Cauy. Eunice; Cady, Philip; Croenover. J. H-: Caldwell. George: Cartwrlght, W. A.; Corbett. Julia; Corbett, Zeta- E)9 Goodyer, H.; De Goodyer, Mary; De Goodyer, Henry. Evans. G. H.J lflvans, airs, jessie; Evans, Mabel. Fisher, Minnie; Furth, EL A.; Furth, Mrs. Gilleland, S.: Gilleland. Mrs. Nellie; Gilleland. Charles; Gilleland, Viola; Green. Mrs. Jessie; Gerhart, Violet; Graner, Isabel; Grimm, Mrs. Florence; Grimm, Frances. Hargett, C; Higgins, Amy; Hamilton, Mary: Haskell. Mrs. Lucile: Holden, J. T.; Holden, Mrs. J. T. ; Hudak. J. E.; Hudak, Mrs. Bessie: Hall, G.s Hall, Mrs. Mary: Hall. Howard; Hall, Alice: Hall. T.; Hall. G.j Hall. H.; Houston, Mrs. R.; Houston, Joseph; Houston, George. Irvine, N. J. Keefer, J. B.; Kellen, Mrs. Rogers; Kane, Ruby: Knight, Walter J. Lester. N. O.: Lester, Mrs. N. O.; Lietz, A.: Litchfield, A. H.; Litchfield, Mrs. Lena; Lee. E. Snow. Morrison, 3. D.; Miller. F.j Miller. Mrs. Irene; Mowrey, Hermione; MorleL F.; McKnight. Charlotte. Newby, N. Pillsbury, S. C: Patton, Virginia; Pinder, A. Reig, Margaret; Rosses, L. K.; Rosser, Mrs. L. K.; Root, Charles L-; Robinson, C. F.; Roon, T. B. Sutton. Miss A. r Sorensen, Mrs. May; Smith, T. K.; STieJtzer, L.; Summers, Lola; Smith, J. A. ; Stevens. Walter J.; Sutherland, J. W.; Sutherland, Mrs. J. W.; Seager, C Turner, E. ; Tharalson, Mrs. Greer; Teel, John M. Venomer, C. Welstein, Mrs.: Welsteln, Ififant; Ward, H. F:: Ward, Mrs. H. F.; Welch, A. O.: Welch, Anmle; Welch, Anne. Toung, J. C. Anderson, R.; Anderson,. M. W. Butler, E. M.; Byron, Captain 3. L.; Buck, H, A.; Bunker, Lnclle; Bunker, Mrs. Ada;. Bunker, Eugene. Calm us. Miss A. E. ; Clugston, Mrs. E. P.: Colgrove, James. Doraldson. Martha. . Fedick, Edna M.; Fedlck, Frances. - Glllham, Miss R.; Greessler, H. B. ; Greessler, Mrs. H. E.; Glatz, Frank; SIORXIXG OREGOXIAJT, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER STEAMSHIP those on shore knew that the work was completed. Hundreds of automobiles went to the beach and there were several collisions. CONGRESS FINEST OF FLEET Vessel Starts With 258 Passengers and 170 In Crew. ( SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14. The Con- (tress, which is the largest vessel in the fleet of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, left here yesterday for Seat tle with 216 first cabin passengers and 37 in the steerage. One hundred and twelve of the passengers were from Southern California ports. Captain N. E. Cousins is in command of the Congress and the steamer car ries a crew of about 170. The Congress carried 1231 tons of general merchandise, including goods shipped from Southern California. No part of this, officials said tonight, was particularly inflammable, or In any way combustible. In the vessel's fuel tanks, however, Were 5000 barrels of oil. The Congress is a steel steamer of 7985 gross tonnage, 424 feet long, 55 feet beam and 17 feet dees. She was built in ISIS at Camdbn, N. J., expressly for the Puget Sound-San Francisco run of the Pacific Coast Steamship Com pany. IS he was the finest vessel on the run between San Francisco and Seattle. The Congress, when built, cost $1. 200,000, but to replace her now would cost $2,000,000, her owners say. SAN DIEGO. Cai., Sept 14. The de struction of the steamer Congress probably will hasten the construction of two 20-knot passenger and freight steamers, it was said by local North Paclf lo Steamship officials here to night. Plans for these steamers, which are to eost in the neighborhood of $1,500,000 each already have been ap proved by President Barnum of the company. OFFICERS HURRY TO ASSIST Special Train. Chartered to Take Captain Blain to Marshfield. SEATTLE, Wash., Sept. 14. Captain John F. Blain, assistant manager of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, arranged tonight for a special train to take him and three members of bis staff to Marshfield to care for the pas sengers. The epeical was scheduled to leave ovr the O.-W. R. & N. line at 8 o'clock, and Captain Blain expected to make the run to Marshfield In 12 hours or less. Special trains would be on hand at Marshfield early tomorrow. Captain Blain said, to bring the pas sengers direct to Seattle. A wireless message received by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company from STEAMSHIP CONGRESS I Graham, James; Gardner, C. A-; Gard I ner, Johanna, Herford. Marlorle; Hargett. Charles: Hulfer, David; Hulfer, Mrs. David; Harrigafi, Francis, Jr. Jamison. Margaret: Janney. Mary F.: James, Charles F. Karman, Sylvia. Lieb, Carolyn A.; Lleb, Mrs. Harry H. Manson, W. H.; Manson, Mrs. W. H.; Miner, D. B.; Muscott. Mrs. Pearl; Mas. cott. Master; MacDonald, R. J.; Miller, Pearl J. I McPherson. Mrs. W. M.; Mc pherson, Chester. Olson, Sigfrid; Olson, Dorothy; Ol son, Bernice; Olson, Norma. Pistor. W. L.; Peaks, L. J.; Peake, Mrs L. J.; Peake. Edith; Peake, Ger trude; Peck, H, L. Ryckman, C Sigebotham, Mrs. Jessie; Smith, Viola; Shepard. Mrs. G. R. Tharaldson. Mrs. A. P.; Trappner, Violet. Wintermute, Miss L. O.; Williams, M. S.; Warner. H. F. ,' Steerage. Anderson, J. Burke, M. Crawford, W. F.: Collins, W.; Cano-dan,-J; Comstcck, R. Delaph, S.; Delaph, J. Espelan, S. Gorman, J. H. Holliet, C; Hansen, E. H.; Hansen, C Jones, W. Loran. H.: Letz, T. Muller, W.; Marascka, P.; Murray. O.; McKinney, G. L. Nelson. G. D.; Nelson, L.; Nuzuba, A ; Noehl. A. Patterson. P.; Powers, W. Streech, E. C.I Stakler, N.; Eiberton, M.; Sutter, W. B.; Smith. B. Thorburn, F. Waldman, W.: Wilson, E. F.; Web ster, W. Zurich, M. Through passenger list from South ern California S. S. Congress: Namata, S. Oison, Vernon. Ryckmall, Byron E. San SleRTO-Seattle List Given. SAN DIEGO, Cal., Sept. 14. The fol lowing Is the list of passengers booked from San Diego to Seattle: Charlotte Lee, Mrs. Anna W. Craw ford, Grace Reed, Mrs. Cadis Miller. Lawrence Hill, A. G. Lucker. F. McRae, Mrs. Frances Harrington and daughter, James Graham, Mrs. Sigrid Olson. Ber nice Olson,- Vern Olson. Walter Feather engill, Helen Crawford. Pauline Smith, Mrs. Margaret Hill, Calvin Hill, Mrs. Addie M. Lucker, Bessie McRae. Martha Donaldson, Mr. and Mrs. C.'A. Gardner, Dorothy Olson, Norman Olson, Byron E.. Richmond. CONGRESS. steerage and second cabin. The cauSe of the fire was not given In the men sage. Captain 'Blain said he did not believe the fire was in the fuel 611 tanks, which were well forward of the part of the ship Captain Cousins re ported burning. WELLS-FARG0MEN VISIT C. R. Graham, General Superintend ent, Heads Party on Tour. C. R, Graham, general superintendent of Wells-Fargo & Company, headed a party of officials of that company who visited Portland yesterday.. Mr. Graham, whoso headquarters are at San Francisco, was accompanied by Mrs. Graham. Other members of the party were: Mark Thompsdh, effi- ciency engineer, and Mrs. Thompson, of San Franciscbi J. W. Hill, superin tendent at Seattle, and C, Bement, Mr. Graham.' secretary. Another Wells-Fargo Official visit ing in Portland yesterday wa C, II. McGirr. superintendent of motor trans portation at San Francisco and until recently superintendent of the Wells Fargo building in Portland. WOMEN PREFER HUGHES Political Research Club Hears Talka on Nominees. - About 60 women attended a luncheon meeting of the -Women's Political Re' search Club, held n.t the Portland Hotel at noon yesterday. Mrs. Robert Berger, who is a Democrat, presided. The club' had invited Arthur I. Moul ton, representing the Republicans, and Frank S. Myers, representing the Democrats, to make addresses. Mr. Moulton spoke on Mr. Hughes and Re publican principles and Mr. Myers spoke on President Wilson and his ad ministration. At the conclusion of the luncheon, more than two-thirds of the women pesent expressed to Mr. Moultoh their intention of voting for Mr. Hughes. : g TURKS TO PERMIT RELIEF Food From United Slates for Syr ians Will Be Admitted. WASHINGTON, Sept. 14. The Turk ish government, . in a communication received today at the State Department, consehts to shipment of relief Supplies from' the United States to famine suf ferers In Syria. The action TCverses the previous at titude of Turkish officials who had re fused two urgent pleas by the Depart ment for the privilege to make ship ments. Carlson's Victory is Conceded. DENVER. Sent. 14. J. tn Moorhead, campaign manager of Samuel D. Nichol son, today conceded tne renomination of Governor George A. Carlson, Repub lican. "There no longer seems to be any doubt of the outcome," he declared. "He added that Nicholson would support Carlson's campaign. Governor Carlson was 3239 "ahead of Nicholson, according to the latest returns. Governor Hunt Is in Lead. PHOENIX, Arlz Sept: .14 The. re nomination of Governor George W. P. Hunt. Democrat, by more than 5000 ma jority seemed practically certain, ac cording to returns received today. W. J. Brayn addressed a large crowsx. that greeted him at the station when he arrived at midnight last night. Smith College. Northampton, Btass., last 'YOU WANT PINK CHEEKS Every woman wants 'pink cheeks. .Tbeytnean not only beauty but health. Then put the color in your cheeks, not on them. The glow of health is the red of healthy blood showing through translucent skin. It ia im possible without rich, red blood. When m girl's color fades and she looks debilitated, is short of breath, when Eer heart palpitates after every elight exertion and ehe has pains in "various parts of the body she needs Dr. "Williams' Fink Pills for Pale People. They are the remedy best suited to re etore the blood, bring brightness to the eyes and put color , in the cheeks and lips. ' - The only other treatment needed costs nothing. It is this. Give the patient plenty of sunlight, moderate exercise every day, not enough to cause fatigue, and. use care in the diet because the food ctaved ia often nob the best for the condition. Two books, "Buadingrp the Blood" and "What to Eat and Mow to Eat" give Just the information that every mother of a growing girl needs. They are free. Writ for them today to the Dr. Williams Medicine Co., Schenec tady, N. Y. Your own druggist sells Ilr. Williams Pink Pills or you can send fifty cents for a f uU-size package. 13. 1916. l 4- You Bet, Cal., Again Swept by Forest Fires. PRISONERS JOIN FIGHTERS Forty Stanford Students Also tio to Aid Force In Mountains Bis; Areas of Timber and Farms Destroyed by Flames. SAN FRANCISCO. Sept. 14. Federal and state forestry officials made ex treme efforts touay to conquer forest fires burning ever thousands of acres of timber and farm lands In Central California, hundreds of volunteers also worked throughout the night. Homes in the historic mining town of Tou Bet that were left standing afte a Are several weeks ago were burned last flight, according to reports from Grass v alley. LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14. Fire has broken out at the boundaries of the Angeles and Santa Barbara National forests and a crew of firefighters has been taken there. . NEVAT1A r-TTV r.l ij tru est rangers were dispatched from here earlV todav tn AM in fic-hffmr o hf r,- est fire burning in the southern part oi oierra county and threatening to St . . 1 A - . ucniiuy me lawn or forest city. Fire Lines 4 Miles Larnr. Fir. Iln.fl rtn nrn.nhnm rr.al, . . more man lour miles in length. Hun dreds of acres of fine second-growth umDer nave been burned down. LOS ALTOS, Cal., Sept. 14. The Big casin ana the Big Trees in the Red wood Park are safe from the forest fir that last night menaced them, accord ing to reports from the army of fire fighters today, unless a wind should fan the smouldering embers into re newed activity. University students and iall orison ers fought together all last night in a desperate battle with the flames. Act ing under Instructions from Governor 1 MUG TOWN BURNS AH Wool $25 Value Suits This is the "am munition' with which we've, captivated the clothing buyers of Portland. 'it Your suit at $15 will not and cannot be all wool, fast dyed, unless the store that sells it Si' to you possesses 1. Mill-to-Man System of Distribution. 2. Big Upper Floors With Low Rent. 3. Modest Store Decorations. We Do. BROWNSVILLE WOOLEN MILLS IS Mill-to-Mart Clothiers Pastor Russell Here Today Pastor Russell, of New York City Temple, famous author and lecturer, will deliver an address, which will be free to the public, at Lincoln High School auditorium at 8 P. M. today. His topic will be "The World on Fire" The pastor is known world-wide as a Bible scholar and exponent of profound scripture matters, and a special interest attaches to his presentations at this present time by reason of seeming accurate fulfillment of predictions made more than thirty years ago based on Bible prophecy. Clearly indicating the overthrow of GENTILE POWERS, re-establishment of the Jews in Palestine, followed by the Messianic Kingdom universal. This lecture will be free to the public and no collection will be taken. 'J&y Checking Account ffjiff furnishes a complete record of ex- jtHf penditures as well as positive receipts V AJr for all bills paid. Literally, a check - I book is a purse, an account book and t I I a pad of receipts. I-""i I 1 Your account is invited. ' 1JI b4 LUMQERMENS jj ?k National, Bank : VJ. Fifth and Stark. " ijsy on Savings. Johnson. Professor Charles B. Wing, of Stanford University, who is chairman of the Big Basin Park Commission, late yesterday led a force of 40 Stanford students to the scene of the fire to aid In the struggle to keep it out of the big timber leading to the Big Basin. Hundreds of Men Fighting. Added to this force of volunteers were 40 prisoners from the Santa Clara County jail, under charge el Deputy BherifTs. Daylight found several hundred men, their eves red from the heat and glare ALL the following advantages Morrison at Third St. of tl.o flames, their faces blackene with smoke and dust and streaked with sweat, who had fought all night against the onrushing flames. In places the Are still burned briskly, but immediate danger to most -of tha ranch houses. Summer residences, the Redwood Park seemed over. A H Tvson, of Lancaster, r., I uslnc In iila business dally a K"lrt P"i li"t l the properly of Mi father, wh passed aw-v some 40 years ago. The pen. a "diamond point," has been in uss about 7.1 years. yr-. 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