Springfield Weekly Republican

Mystery of Ship Burning at Sea is Cleared by Crew

Alcohol-Laden Schooner was Fired After Its Men Had Been Rescued, Following Storm.

Boston, Feb. 22-(AP)-A mystery ship burning through the night was identified today as an alcohol-laden Nova Scotian schooner, Kathleen Conrad. Her rescued crew landed here today.

The two-masted vessel had sailed Friday, according to the captain, from Lahave, N. S., for St. Pierre, Miquelon. Saturday morning the hurricane out of the northeast struck her. All sail was carried away, the deck donkey engine went over the side, the galley and forecastle were flooded, the jumbo boom was broken off and planks on the starboard side were stove. Hardtack and a limited supply of water was the fare of the crew of nine for two days.

Yesterday afternoon the Gloucester fisherman, Grand Marshall, Capt. Simon Theriault, sighted the distress signals of the Conrad. He took off the men and their belongings and then ordered the ship scuttled and fired.

Alcohol Cargo Explodes

In the holds were said to have been 1400 drums of alcohol. These exploded as the flames reached them, as told by the commander of the Dutch steamer Bilderdijk who sighted her two hours later. The Hollander cruised about until it seemed certain that no refugees were in the vicinity and then gave the alarm by radio.

The destroyer Ericsson on sea patrol, was started for the scene but had not reported since. It was thought possible that the derelict had sunk before the destroyer reached her.

The Kathleen Conrad was owned by Capt. Wallace Conrad of Lunenburg. Those rescued were Capt. Moyle Randall, Mate Leman Conrad, Engineer Frank Lohnes, Cook George Randall, and Seamen Fred Randall, Nolan Conrad, Harold Wilkie, C. B. Mason and Eli Thornhill. The British consulate will arrange their passage home.

The coast guard questioned the rescued men and searched the Grand Marshall for contraband, for it was said that the Conrad was not an unfamiliar vessel to the offshore rum patrol.