OIL SHIP AFIRE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19862, 25 February 1930, Page 11

OIL SHIP AFIRE.

TERRIFIC explosions OCCUR. FOUR THOUSAND TONS ABOARD. FOUR MEMBERS OF CREW INJURED. (X3KITBB PaitlS ASSOCIATION ~J»TI EI.ECTIIO TELBOaAPH—CJOI'YfttOHT.) At Newcastle the modern British oil-tanker British Honour was extensively damaged by fire and explosions among her 4000 tons of oil cargo. Pour members of the crew were injured. The five, which occurred as the result of contact with blazing oil on the surface of the water, spread to the wharf and sheds, some of the latter being destroyed.. 'UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—ST KLECTItIC TBLBOEAPH—COPYRIGHT.t (lioceived February 24th, 8.25 p.m.) NEWCASTLE, February 24. The mouern oil-tanker, British Honour, with a cargo of four thousand tons of oil, caught fire in Newcastle harbour to-day. A series of terrific explosions occurred. The forecastle was blown away, and the bridge and expensive nautical instruments were wrecked. Four members of the crew were injured. This fine new vessel, which is commanded by Captain Collie, suffered extensive damage but it is believed that tTie hull is intact. The firemen did wonderful service under difficult and hazardous conditions. The cause of the fire was traced to ft small outbreak at a waterside timber yard, the flames from which set fire to oil spilt on the water, and this quickly travelled to the tanker.

A great crowd watched the dens® black smoke rising from the British Honour, and when the explosions occurred, flinging debris in nil directions, the spectators were panic-stricken and many tripped and fell in a frenzy to reach safer points of vantage. The police kept the people away from the hujzs storage tanks of the Commonwealth Oil Refinery Company, which were in the danger zone. Most of the injured members of the crew, who were removed by ambulance to hospital, received wounds when falling or rushing away from, the vessel.

FLAMES ONE HUNDRED FEET HIGH. FIRE SPREADS TO THE WHARF. A STRANGE INCIDENT. (Received February 24th, lO.Sii p.m.) SYDNEY, February 24. Caplgin Collie remained on the bridge until he saw that the crew was Safely on the wharf. The forocastlo became a mass of flames, which leapt one hundred feet skyward, One of the masts was alight right to the top. Then came a succession of dull and then louder explosions, resembling a broad* side from a battleship. The wharf caught fire, and the sheds were either destroyed or damaged. Squatting on the sandy beach nearby were members of the crew, with blackened faces, intently watching their ship being gradually reduced to ruins. All were thankful that the fire had not occurred at sea. They spoke freely of their hurried manner of escape. A strange incident occurred when the' fire began. A youth was swimming the racehorse Boseland nearby, when tho flames on the water enveloped the animal. Its eyes were burnt out and it had to be destroyed. Its owner, Mr W. Bailey, only on Saturday refused an offer of £SOO for the horse.

THE OUTBREAK SUBDUED. (Received February 24th, 11.43 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 24. The fire aboard the British Honour was subdued this afternoon, fortunately before it reached the oil tanks. The damage is estimated in the neighbourhood of £37,000.