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Show SHIP'S BATTLE WITH STORK ANDFIRE SURGEON STOKES OF HOSPITAL SHIP RELIEF TELLS STORY. Heroic Efforts of Officers and Men .'.Saved the Vessel From Com-plete Com-plete Destruction. San Francisco, Jan. 2. Surgeon C. F. Stokes, who was In command ot the hospital ship Relief during the storm in which the vessel had such n narrow escape from 6hlp wreck, arrived ar-rived in this city yesterday, troni the Orient Stokes tells a graphic talo of the terrific battle which the ship In his command had with storm and fire. When the ship" was rendered practically helpless by a typhoon, fire broko out, and It was only after the most heroic efforts by officers and crew that tho vessel was saved rrora ccmplete destruction. The surgeon declared that the enlisted men or the hospital corps on board the Rcllet proved themselves fighting men ot tne first water. Dr. Stokes denied the report that there was friction on board the Relief. In this connection te said: "Wo passed through trials snch as few ships snrvlve, and throughout it all the discipline was perfect, in all matters pertaining to the handling ot j the ship Captain Lecaln's Judgment was supreme and never at any time questioned by me." |