FIRE ON A LINER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 14, 27 October 1938, Page 5

FIRE ON A LINER.

OUTBREAK UNDER CONTROL. THREE SHIPS SPEED TO RESCUE. (United Press Association—Copyright.) NEW YORK, October 26. Three ships, the United States freighters Collamer and American Traveller, and the Norwegian liner Europe, are racing across the North Atlantic to answer a distress signal from the German liner Deutschland, which is fighting a fire in a hold. Some hours after the call was sent out it was confirmed that thie fire was under control, and the passengers Out of danger. The Deutschland is 200 miles southeast of Cape Race ((Newfoundland). It has on board 591 passengers and a crew of 390.

Early reports were conflicting, ‘ and caused uncertainty about whether there was any immediate danger. The Associated Press reported the receipt of a message that the fire was under control at 8.29 p.m., two hours after the first signal, but hours passed before confirmation was received' Coastal stations reported that the Deutschland was continuing her distress signals, although the extent of the fire was not indicated. The rescuers expected to arrive at dawn. All were originally within 75 miles.

The situation is complicated by a gale which is sweeping up from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and which is expected to strike the. Deutschland befoiie clawn.

The Deutschland, is a. twin-screw passenger liner of 21,046 registered tonnage, owned by the HamburgAmerika. Line. It was launched, at .Hamburg in 1923.