Two Disastrous Fires

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

Two Disastrous Fires

The last few days have witnessed two frightful disasters, one by sea and the other on land. October 11, news came to the world by wireless of the burning of the steamship "Volturno" in mid-Atlantic, with a loss of 136 lives out of the 656 on board. Eleven steamers responded to the distress call of the fated ship, but the sea was so rough that it was impossible to launch small boats, and they were all obliged to lay by until morning. During the night some of the panic-stricken passengers on the "Volturno" tried to reach the liners in her life-boats, and thus lost their lives. The explosion of a drum containing chemicals is said to have caused the fire—the result of a cigarette carelessly thrown into the hold of the ship. What is considered the greatest mine disaster in history plunged south Wales into mourning on the morning of October 14. Nearly one thousand men are employed in the Cardiff coal-pits, and while they were at work a terrific explosion occurred, partially wrecking the mine. Fire broke out almost immediately, but 489 of the miners were rescued. It is believed that there is no possible hope of saving the 434 men still entombed.