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Some of the men were hauling out the hose pipes others were running about
with blankets over their arms (about 40 are [told/dold] off for this service) to
smother the fire They soak them in water if there happens to be a real
fire other are standing round the boats. Every man knows is place or
is supposed to from the crew of the eight boats we have on board, Its a
queer sight to see the men run cooks in aprons butchers smeared with blood enginmen begrimed with soot and coal Stewards with their cloths tied round them. Sailors just out of bed with only shirt & pants on While the captain walks the bridge like a caged tiger watching all like an hawk & issueing orders Everything was done in almost