What event resulted in the sinking of the SS Volturno, an ocean liner, in 1913?

The ‘SS Volturno’ was an ocean liner, owned by the Canadian Northern Steamship Ltd (Royal Line). It was launched on September 5, 1906. A few years later, a fire aboard the ship erupted on October 9, 1913 and on October 18th it was scuttled in the North Atlantic.

When the ship was burning, it issued SOS signals (Morse code distress signals) resulting in 11 ships coming to her aid. In heavy seas and gale winds, ships rescued 521 passengers and crewmen. Unfortunately, there were 135 people who died, most of them women and children, in lifeboats that were launched prior to the arrival of the rescue ships.

This event occurred on a voyage originating in Rotterdam in the Netherlands en route to New York City, New York in the United Sates. It was carrying a mixed load of passengers, mostly immigrants, plus cargo, which included highly-flammable chemicals.

The ship caught fire in the middle of a gale in the North Atlantic when the cargo hold in the front of the ship was found to be fully engulfed in flames and shortly afterwards, part of the cargo exploded.

As the fire spread to the ship’s coal bunkers, cutting off the power for the fire hose pumps, the captain realized the severity of the fire and had his wireless operator send out SOS signals.

When the 11 ships arrived, they worked throughout the night in an organized fashion to rescue passengers. Eventually, days later the order was given to open the seacocks and scuttle the SS Volturno.