FIRE ON BOARD THE LANGSTONE.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7215, 28 November 1888, Page 3

FIRE ON BOARD THE LANGSTONE.

NAPIEE, November 12. About a quarter-pout 10 o'clock the ship Langstone, lying in . the Bay, sent xtp rockets and blue lights. Steam was at once got up on the Waihi, and a message was soon alter received that the ship was on fire, apparently in 'the lower hold. The Spit fire engine was immediately sent out on the Waihi, and the town brigade are mustered with steam and Twn-T , engines if their assistance is required, and steam is being, got up in a tender to take them on. A code of eignals has been arranged to signify that they are wanted, or that the fire is got under. Crowds are on the beach, but nothing of the fire is visible. The ship Langstone has nearly completed her loading with a cargo of wool. It is probable that nothing more will be known before the telegraph closes. Midnight. A signal which has just been received from the Spit Brigade from the Langstone states that the town Brigade will not be wanted to-night. This is not taken to mean that the fire iB got under, as it was arranged that except in case of urgent need the steam fire engine should not be asked for, as the town would then be left defenceless. The Piako's crew are on board the Langstone, the hatches being battened down, and water poured below from the ship's and Sptt's engines. The Captain of the Langstone was in the Theatre Boyal at Anderson's performance when the alarm was raised, but he went on board with the Spit Brigade. It is feared that even if the fire is extinguished without much damage the cargo will also have to be put out and dried. The insurance risks cannot be ascertained. It is a coincidence that the Piako, which lies alongside, has been twice on fire. The first time, on her maiden voyage, very slight damage was done, but the second time she had to be run into a South American port and sunk. NAPIEE, November 13. The Spit TTiprirmi engine and Brigade were taken out in the s.s. Weka, and a hole being cut out of the deck tons of water were poured down. It was found that more assistance wae required, and the Napier steam fire engine was. sent out in the B.s. Ahuriri. At this time the Piako was firing guns and the Langstone was sending up rocket after rocket, thus betokening a very serious condition of affairs on board. Upon the arrival of the steam fire engine at the vessel, it was found that she was in a very serious plight indeed. The efforts of the combined crews of the Langstone and Piako had resulted in the hatches being successfully battened down, but volumes of pungent smoke curled upwards, and served to show that a considerable body of fire, was down below. The water from the hose of the two engines was conducted over the forehold, where the main body of fire was situated. The densest smoke wa* coming from under the galley, close by the fore mast. An enormous quantity of water was numped down the forehold, the xesaef 8 nose sinking deep in the sea as the weight began to tell. After about an hour's pumping by the steamer, and, of course, the longer time the manual was at work, the efforts of the two brigades seemed to be getting the bettef of the fire, as the red glow from below was seen to be lessening, and the smoke grew less in volume. Unfortunately at this time an accident to the steamer took place, the suction hose, which hung over the side of the Ahuriri into the sea, and, by some mistake, was not guyed, broke short off close to Uβ connection with the engine. The result was at once seen in an accession of flames and red glow, and the fire began to work through the fore part of the deck. The Ahuriri, with the engine on board, steamed back to the breastwork as rapidly as possible to procure another length of suction hose, and a new suction appliance was taken out. At this time (past 3 o'clock) the condition of the vessel was most critical. The flames were breaking through the deck, and the smoke was aiy^n?in g in dense volumes. The worst was expected and provided for, prepara* tions being made 'for towing the Langstone ashore to scuttle her. Upon the steamer getting out again to the Langatone effects got the better of the fire, and by 6 o'clock this morning all danger wae over. Tte manual wae discovered by the watch bctvaan? aim and ten. At «**t the pp« of fire observable did not betoken anything nrkns, but * hwTTiii examination mwd to show

danger threatened tie ehio.

and chat an anxious time was in store for the officers and crew. The captain was on shore when the discovery waa made, and blue lights were burnt and rockets sent up for the double purpose of informing the skipper that the vessel was on fire and of summoning assistance in coping with an outbreak too grave to be dealt with by the crew alone. The rockets and blue lights were seen at the Spit and on the hills, but appear to have been regarded as proof that some pleasurable event was being celebrated by a pyrotechnic display. The signals, however, were correctly interpreted by the officers of the Piako, also lying in the roadstead, and the latter vessel's crew were put on board the Langstone very promptly, and the united efforts of the crews, who worked very hard, were directed to trying to get all the hatches thoroughly battened down. While this was being done the signals to the shore continued to be made, but as the vessel could be descried apparently lying peacefully at anchor, and with no visible signs to show that she was in any different condition to the Piako, the" fire works display " theory continued to hold good with those on shore. These had their opinion strengthened by observing that the Piako did not signal, it being concluded that if one vessel was in danger the other would assist in making it known. As it turned out, all the efforts of the officers and crew of the Piako were devoted to rendering practical assistance on board the threatened Langstone. At|last finding that assistance from the shore was necessary the chief officer of the Langstone sent a boat's crew ashore with the news that the vessel was en fixe, and that help was needed. The damage done is estimated at £5000. About 160 bales wool were destroyed, and 1200 thoroughly soaked. The forward part of the deck and the forecastle will have to be renewed. The whole of the cargo is not damaeed except by water. The fire is believed to have been caused by the galley. Over 400 tons of water were pumped in, the vessel sinking 3ft. The ship was commanded by Captain Tonkin, the agents, Murray, Roberts and Company. She is a fine iron barque of 746 tons register. She was built at Sunderland in 1369, and has, therefore, been nineteen years in the service. She belonged to the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company. She is 186 ft long, 31ft wide, and 19ft 6in deep. The cargo is insured in the Universal, London office, for £13,037, in the Union for £530, and in the National for £3300. The cargo is further insured with Lloyds for £19,000. The total value of the ship and cargo is £45,000. The necessary repairs to the vessel will be carried out here.