unexampled heroism marked the crews. Al the order to save the ships those on deck rushed to their quarters at the tines. _Already the river outside was in a commotion. A navy of tugs was scurrying to the rescue, senting a prospect of salvage. Lines were tossed to them, seamen ran through the The spring lines dropped away with its curtain the tragedy working within.
The Kaiser was the first to escape. Every effort had been made to drag her to safety, for many millions of dollars were invested in her giant hull and sumptuous cabin fittings. She drove slowly out into the stream and as she emerged at this snaillike pace the fire leaped forward and she was ablaze in the bow. Beyond were the Saale, Bremen, and the Maine, engulf-d. Herded on their decks frantic creatures fought for life. Their alternative Lay before them. They must jump ud tempt death by drowning or remain and burn.
The Maine was already doomed. The vessel had only arrived this morning and some of the passengers were still on board, and when the ery of fire was raised a num: ber of them were seen to run to the burning decks. Some of the passengers of the Maine tried to escape to the piers, and it was almost certain that they perished in the flames. Others of the screaming people were leaping by squats into the swirling river. At her ports appeared frantic faces of men and women screaming for aid, The Bremen, ablaze at every hatch, had reached the end of the pier. As she clvared the zone of fire she was in flames fore and aft.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.