FIRE ON STEAMER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 7

FIRE ON STEAMER.

OUTBREAK ON BABAKCA..

COPRA CARGO DAMAGED. _____ A fire was discovered about 8 o'clock ; last evening among some copra cargo in the after end of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's steamer Raranga, which is lying on the western side of the Queen's wharf, but alter an hour the City Brigade extinguished it. The outbreak was discovered by a member ot the crew of the Raranga and •t the same time was noticed by Mr. R. Woods, of the Auckland' Harbour Board's staff, who quickly gave the alarm. The brigade soon had three engines on the scene, including the Dennis pump, while in the meantime those on-the ship had x- lead of hose connected with the ship's pumps. The Firefloat, belonging to the Harbour Board,, was also brought -alongside the steamer. TKe copra, which was in bags, was stowed'in. what is known as the poop space immediately below the steering gear house and the fire is assumed to have originated through;-: spontaneous combustion. The'copra quickly gave off sufficient heat to buckle the decks, and showers, of sparks, accompanied by volumes of smoke, soon began to issue

through the ventilators- that led from the hold. The brigade soon had several leads of hose to the hold and the firemen being equipped with oxygen helmets •were enabled to go iielow. The Denni--punip-was placed in position to throw a stream of sea water into the vessel if required, but this was not needed. The . Firefloat had a lead of hose aboard the Raranga. but it was not found necessary to use tfl'isi the city, water supply being sufficient to suppress the outbreak, which was well in hand in forty minutes and practically out by 9 o'clock. ... . The compartment in which the copra wis stowed is separated from the poop space by- a strong steel bulkhead, and tnia prevented the fire from spreading to a v_lu_ble consignment of wool. A . commencement was made $ii« morning with'discharging the copra, and until this is done the extent of the damage cannot be - ascertained. It is not thought to be considerable. The Raranga is a steel twin screw steamier of 7956 tons, and was due to leave for London at daylight on Tuesday, but owing to the fire her departure will have to be postponed till Thursday or later. She loaded at Napier and Russell, and was completing loading- at Auckland. She had about 10,000 tons of cargo, aboard, consisting principally of wool, butter, frozen meat and cheese.