FIFTH EDITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 150, 28 June 1927, Page 5

FIFTH EDITION.

GALLANT STOKER. AVERTED DISASTER. Ignored Order To Leave Blazing Hold. DRAMA ON H.M.S. RENOWN. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 3 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. The "Daily Chronicle" gives the first authentic account of how Stoker Jeffries saved the Renown from disaster on May 26. Jeffries was in charge of D hold, attending to the water-feeding, when a cry of "fire!" was raised. In an instant toiigues of flame were flashing across the hold. The oil sprayed from leading from the spare tanks to the double-bottom tanks which feed the furnace was dropping on the hot floor, igniting, and sending up great sheets of flame, so that the hold became a furnace. The order was given for all men to ascend, but Jeffries did not obey. Instead, he seized a hose and drenched himself with water. Then he rushed to a water valve, increasing the water supply to the boilers, thus making an explosiou impossible. Next he shut off six oil valves. though they were red hot. He had to use a hose "on the- valves before he could touch them. To add to his difficulties, the light? went out and only the glow from the furnaces relieved the darkness. No one knew that Jeffries wa9 fighting the flames below until he appeared above the hatchway, his work accomplished. Then hoses were turned on the furnaces and water poured in until there was nine feet in the hold. The Duke and Duchess were lunching when the cry of "Fire!" was raised. It was midnight before the stokehold was unsealed and repair work commenced. His messmates regard Jeffries as the saviour of the ship, but the stoker dismisses the affair with a shrug of his shoulders. He merely did his duty.