Berengaria Blaze

Third biggest vessel in the world and oldest big liner afloat, Cunard White Star's Berengaria (launched as the German Imperator in 1912) last week sailed empty back to England on what may be her last Atlantic crossing--branded a fire hazard by the U. S. Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation. Once last year the Berengaria caught fire during an overhaul. In Southampton last month flames blazed for two hours below decks, burned out a section of the Berengaria's, third class, but did not prevent her sailing to the U. S. on schedule. While she was tied up in Manhattan last week a fresh fire broke out at 3:15 a. m., a few hours before her return-trip sailing. It smoldered for three hours, did an estimated $10,000 damage to the cabin lounge. Aboard were 75 passengers, some of whom rushed on deck in night clothes. The line then announced that first-class passengers would have to go tourist or transfer to other vessels, and the Berengaria prepared to sail with tourist and third class passengers only.

Then Captain George Fried, 60-year-old No. 1 U. S. sea hero, drafted after the Morro Castle fire in 1934 to jack up, the marine inspection service to prevent sea disasters, made a personal inspection of the fire-damaged Berengaria, refused a passenger certificate. Cunard White Star debarked its 319 remaining passengers, angrily sailed its ship away with 650 personnel, mail, freight. Though the fires were labeled "mysterious" and sabotage was hinted, it seemed possible because of her age that defective electric wiring caused the blazes. Said blunt Captain Fried, "I didn't believe she was safe for passengers. . . . She has had two fires recently. Go look at the third class and I think you'll agree with me. . . ."

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