LAUNCH ON FIRE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18184, 22 September 1924, Page 8

LAUNCH ON FIRE.

FERRY STEAMER GOES TO ASSISTANCE. NARROW ESCAPE AT LYTTELTON" HEADS.

Passengers by tho ferry steamer Maori from Lytlelton on Saturday night had an exciting experience when tho vessel stopped at Lyitelton Heads and lowered a boat to go to the rescue of a big fishing launch which was ablaze from end to end. Tho occupants of tho launch had. however, escaped in a small dinghy and landed at Little Port Cooper, so that the services of the Maori's boat, were not- required. The launch concerned was the Wairau and .she left Lyitelton about o.SO on Suturdav night io fiva off the Heads. Mr Charlie Durham, a well-known Lytic Uon yachtsman and launchman, was in charge and ho had one companion, J. Mav, also of Lvttelton. All went well until the AYpirau was close under Adderley Head, when suddenly there was a burst of flame froqi tho engine, and in an instant the engine-room was afire. For a tew strenuous minutes t-lio occtipants strove to smother the flames, but in vain, and they wero forced to retreat, ikfifc io tho stern of tho launch, and then into a small dinghy which was towing behind. It was this dinghy, and the fact that the sea was calm, which probably averted a tragedy. A few minutes beforo the two men had decided to haul the little craft on deck and had already cleared the sculls and other loose fittings in readiness. It was lucky for them that the dinghy had not been hauled aboard, or it, too, might have been burnt.

Tho firo occurred at about 7.30 p.m., and tho men abandoned the launch about 15 minutes later. They .stood by for a time and then set out for Little Port Cooper, where the Harbour Board's signal staff live. At 5.15 the blazing launch had drifted out from under the lee of the land and came into view of Mr J. Burns, chief signalman, who was on duty at the signal station on Adclerloy Head. Mr Burii9 telephoned to the other two signalmen who were off duty, Messrs Martin and Bumstead, and they launched a. dinghy and set out to tho rescue. Thoy met tho other dinghy and escorted her in.

In tho meantime the ferry feteamer Maori, resplendent in her myriad lights against the blackness of the night, camo steaming full speed down the harbour, outward bound for Wellington. Tho fire was noticed soon after she left Lyttelton, but for some time was thought to be on shore. As the big vessel drew abreast it was seen that it was a craft of some description. Captain B. Irwin altered his.course so as to run nearer, tho telegraph clanged, and quivering under the strain of her reversed propellers tho Maori camo to a standstill. Almost before she had lost way, tti© emergency boat, always kept hanging outboai'i near the stern for occasions such as these, was away, manned by four seamen and the chief officer at tho tiiler. Pulling over to tho blazing launch they commenced to search for survivors.

At this stage tho two dinghies with thelauuch crew on board, landed at Little Port Cooper. Their safe arrival was telephoned to tho signalman on duty, who, in turn, communicated the good news by Morse lamp to the Maori. Tho boat was recalled and the ferry steamer resumed her voyage. It was"B.4o when the Maori stopped. Ac about ten o'clock another Lyttelton launch, Mona, owned by Mr J. Joblin, sighted tho still burning launch and she, too, altered her course and circled around it. When it was found that there was nobody on board the Mona put into Little Port Cooper, where it was learned that the men had landed. The Mona took them on board, and returning to tho Wairua, they took her in tow, and beached her at Cable Bay, just outside of Little Port Cooper, where she continued to burn fiercely. The Mona returned to Lyttelton about 2 o'clock yesterday morning. It is doubtful if there will be anything worth saving of tho Wairau, except perhaps part 9 of tho engine. Tho stern is completely destroyed and only a blackened shell remains of the hull. JTho Wairau was a carvel built launch, 35 feet in length and was driven by a 10-horse-power Union engine. She owned by Mr R. Kelleher. if Christchurch, and was formerly owned by a Kaikoura fisherman, Mr C. Bushett. The Wairau lias had a somewhat chequered career. Rome years ago sho was badly burned in Wellington harbour. but was re6uilt again. On that occasion the flames melted the white metal bearings of the engine and new bearings had to be run in.