VICTIM OF THE S.S. MORRO CASTLE FIRE.
Charles Filtzer, age 27.
Charles and Selma Filtzer had been married a week on September 8th 1934. Charles was a head buyer at Mays department store in New York City and, according to newspaper accounts, Selma was his life-long sweetheart.
Selma remembered that Charles shook her awake some time after 3:30 am. There was smoke in their cabin, so they put on their coats and went to investigate. There was deep water sloshing in their hallway, from abandoned fire hoses, and thickening smoke, so they returned to their cabin for life jackets. The Filtzers found the stairs blocked by fire, so they went to the stern. The electricity failed while they were walking aft.
Charles and Selma were in the crowd on C Deck that sang "Hail Hail, The Gang's All Here" to bolster their nerves as the fire advanced towards them. When the aft lounge ignited, directly beside them, the Filtzers climbed the rail and jumped overboard together.
Charles Filtzer was a strong swimmer, while Selma could barely dog paddle. He swam thru the storm with her, until a large wave broke over them and carried him away. He died of shock and exposure, while Selma drifted to a group of survivors and remained with them until rescued.
[By Jim Kalafus]
Charles Filtzer, age 27.
Charles and Selma Filtzer had been married a week on September 8th 1934. Charles was a head buyer at Mays department store in New York City and, according to newspaper accounts, Selma was his life-long sweetheart.
Selma remembered that Charles shook her awake some time after 3:30 am. There was smoke in their cabin, so they put on their coats and went to investigate. There was deep water sloshing in their hallway, from abandoned fire hoses, and thickening smoke, so they returned to their cabin for life jackets. The Filtzers found the stairs blocked by fire, so they went to the stern. The electricity failed while they were walking aft.
Charles and Selma were in the crowd on C Deck that sang "Hail Hail, The Gang's All Here" to bolster their nerves as the fire advanced towards them. When the aft lounge ignited, directly beside them, the Filtzers climbed the rail and jumped overboard together.
Charles Filtzer was a strong swimmer, while Selma could barely dog paddle. He swam thru the storm with her, until a large wave broke over them and carried him away. He died of shock and exposure, while Selma drifted to a group of survivors and remained with them until rescued.
[By Jim Kalafus]
VICTIM OF THE S.S. MORRO CASTLE FIRE.
Charles Filtzer, age 27.
Charles and Selma Filtzer had been married a week on September 8th 1934. Charles was a head buyer at Mays department store in New York City and, according to newspaper accounts, Selma was his life-long sweetheart.
Selma remembered that Charles shook her awake some time after 3:30 am. There was smoke in their cabin, so they put on their coats and went to investigate. There was deep water sloshing in their hallway, from abandoned fire hoses, and thickening smoke, so they returned to their cabin for life jackets. The Filtzers found the stairs blocked by fire, so they went to the stern. The electricity failed while they were walking aft.
Charles and Selma were in the crowd on C Deck that sang "Hail Hail, The Gang's All Here" to bolster their nerves as the fire advanced towards them. When the aft lounge ignited, directly beside them, the Filtzers climbed the rail and jumped overboard together.
Charles Filtzer was a strong swimmer, while Selma could barely dog paddle. He swam thru the storm with her, until a large wave broke over them and carried him away. He died of shock and exposure, while Selma drifted to a group of survivors and remained with them until rescued.
[By Jim Kalafus]
Charles Filtzer, age 27.
Charles and Selma Filtzer had been married a week on September 8th 1934. Charles was a head buyer at Mays department store in New York City and, according to newspaper accounts, Selma was his life-long sweetheart.
Selma remembered that Charles shook her awake some time after 3:30 am. There was smoke in their cabin, so they put on their coats and went to investigate. There was deep water sloshing in their hallway, from abandoned fire hoses, and thickening smoke, so they returned to their cabin for life jackets. The Filtzers found the stairs blocked by fire, so they went to the stern. The electricity failed while they were walking aft.
Charles and Selma were in the crowd on C Deck that sang "Hail Hail, The Gang's All Here" to bolster their nerves as the fire advanced towards them. When the aft lounge ignited, directly beside them, the Filtzers climbed the rail and jumped overboard together.
Charles Filtzer was a strong swimmer, while Selma could barely dog paddle. He swam thru the storm with her, until a large wave broke over them and carried him away. He died of shock and exposure, while Selma drifted to a group of survivors and remained with them until rescued.
[By Jim Kalafus]
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