SHIP ABLAZE AT LYTTELTON

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28889, 8 May 1959, Page 12

SHIP ABLAZE AT LYTTELTON

At Least Two Of Crew Dead

At least two members of the crew of the coastal motor-vessel Holmburn are believed to have perished in a fire which broke out in the ship at Lyttelton late last night. A body was brought off the ship just before 2 a.m. but could not be identified.

. It is known that one body is still aboard the ship, and there may be others.

The fire in the Holmburn broke out amidships on the starboard side just before midnight. The chief cook was awakened by a steward and when they found the side of the ship ablaze they went to the crew’s quarters and awakened the crew. They were unable to go to some parts of the ship because the blaze was too fierce. It is thought that the fire started near the engine-room. The fire gradually gained a greater hold and by 1 a.m. the ship had a very sharp list against No. 7 wharf. Units from the Lyttelton Fire Brigade were pumping water into the ship and the Harbour Board’s tug, Lyttelton 11, was using hoses on the other side. By that time the whole of the bridge structure and a large part of the starboard side of the ship had been completely burnt out.

A member of the crew of the Gale which was berthed immediately behind the Holmburn was one of the first to notice the fire. He looked forward and thought the bows of the Gale were on fire. The Holmburn had arrived at Lyttelton from Timaru last Sunday and had almost completed loading for Wellington and was to leave this evening. The first alarm was given by the gangway man on the- Port Halifax which was berthed opposite, but when the alarm went at the Fire Brigade station the ship was well ablaze. One fireman was overcome by smoke at one stage, but after treatment by ambulance men he returned to the fire quickly.

Other members of the crew escaped in their pyjamas and two jumped into the sea. They were taken to the Lyttelton casualty ward for treatment.

Thick smoke from the burning ship soon spread over the town. About midnight the alarm was given by the siren of the tug. Lyttelton 11, which was sounded to recall her crew. Foam as well as water was used to fight the flames. Two ambulances were sent to the wharf, and Dr. A. J. K. Simmance was called.

Shortly after 2 a.m. pumps were used to lighten the ship and she slowly began to right. The Holmburn was built in Holland in 1957 at a cost of £250,000. She is of 841 gross tonnage and 369 tons net. Her length is 240 ft, width 37ft 7in, and draft 12ft. The Holmburn is one of the fleet owned by the Holm Company, of Wellington.