ON A BURNING SHIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9291, 12 August 1920, Page 6

ON A BURNING SHIP.

FOUR LIVES LOST,

Four men lost- their lives on Whit Monday by the burning to the water's edge of the steamer Wasa (2000 tons) on a voyage from Liverpool to Sweden. The vessel, which was of wood, built in America, was recently purchased by Messrs T. "B. Stott, of Liverpool, and left that port the previous Saturday. On the second morning of this first voyage for the new owners fire ■■ was reported from the engine-room, and in a few minutes flames were bursting through the deck. Within twenty minutes the Wa?a was well on fire amidships, with half tbo crew on one side of the flames and half on the other. One of the two lifeboats was caught by the flames and destroyed. Although it jammed in.the •process, the second boat was successfully lowered. Tbon followed some. thrilling moments. The men on the foredeck threw a line over the' burning deck to their comrades aft the fire, and along this rope the latter'passed. Captain Vermullen, D.S.C., and the chief engineer were the last to leave the doomed steamer. They remained on the bridge directing operations. Just before leaving his post the captain sighted a sail and used the syren vigorously. While so doing the bridge collapsed, and lie fell up to the waist in a cauldron of fire. He managed to extricate himself and reached the rope, being transferred to safety amid the cheers of his crew.

In the end the trawler Hibernia came alongside and took off the_ men. When inquiries were then made it was found that the third engineer, a stoker, a greaser, and an able seaman were missing. What their fate was none of the survivors can tell.

The Wasa was towed to the S^ottislcoast, but by that time she had burned herself to the water's edge.