Fire on a Barque.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5613, 6 March 1902, Page 3

Fire on a Barque.

Per Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright) Wellington, Maroh 5 A fire which had evidently been smouldering some time, broke out at half p»st ten tonight in the fore hatch of the barque Jessie Osborne, which is lying at the wool jetty, almost full of wool and Six for London. Flames were issuing from the hatch when the fire brigade was summore!, Jt speedily arrived on the spot, and commenced to pour water into the vessel, Ab 11,45 o'clock smoke wan still issuing ia volumes from the hold, and under the influenoo of the tremendous amount of water pumped aboard, the barque was baginuing to take a gradual liet. Apparently there is no hope of saving the csrgo. It is generally thought that the refuel will sink before morning. Wellington, Marob 6 Ihe Ore on the Jessie Oaboroe lasted ail through (he nipht, bab was fully conquered by the Brigade by 5.30 this morning. A nuir.bor of firemen are, however, still stand* ing by the vessel in case of a renewal of the outbreak. The Jessie Oeborne is now low in the water. Her forward part ia now resting on the bottom. The fire started atnoogat the cargo in the forehold, and seems to have been confined to the space extending from tbe forepesk to about 15 paces abaft the hatchway of the foretiold. Ihe tow and wool, which wero qbored together, are the principal goods brnoed, bat; the water must have affacted rnoel of tha rest of tbe cargo. In fighting the fire on tbe Jessie Osborne, the firemen showed the greatest pluck and determination. They went into the hold in their email a pickets, air being pimped to them foe respiration by hand pumps. At leant nine were rendered temporarily insen Bible, and some, including cYptain Hugo. h&& to be taken home In cabs add medically •Itfßiided. The vebsel baa eleven feet of water la torforwarcl, and ten feet aft. The Jessie Ooborne is an iron barque owned by Mr J Irving, of Liverpool, and was built 28 yeare ago, .Heir cargo consists of 3300 ba'ei of wool, 400 bales of tow, 100 toos of Kauri gum! The inaurable value is estimated at about £40,000. The Insurance Companies are not yet able to state who have the distribution of the risks.