Burning Launch Sinks In Harbour

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 14

Burning Launch Sinks In Harbour

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 26. The 36ft Wellington launch, Starlight, caught fire and later sank in Oriental Bay late on Saturday afternoon. Two crew members were injured.

The five people on the launch owned by Mr W. Ross, of Island Bay, attempted to quell the fire which broke out in the en-gine-room. Their efforts were unsuccessful as they were unable to reach the two fire extinguishers on board which were stored in the engineroom. A strong northerly wind fanned the flames through the cabins.

Mr Raymond Manning, of Kilbirnie, one of the crew, was taken off the burning launch by a private yacht and taken to the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. He was taken from there to hospital. He was admitted to hospital suffering from burns to the face and lower arms and severe shock. His condition was given today as comfortable.

The police launch which had gone out took off Mr Ross, who was the last to leave, and carried him to Clyde Quay. He was taken to hospital suffering from bums to the left forearm, hand and right arm, exposure and shock. He was treated and allowed to return home. The other three members of the crew were uninjured. The police launch took the burning boat in tow and attempted to tow it to shallower water. This proved unsuccessful for the hull was making water rapidly. Mr Ross said today that efforts would be made to salvage the gear the launch carried when she sank about 40 yards from the shore. Account by Girl Miss Jocelyn Pearson, of Island Bay, aged 18, tonight gave her account of the incident. “The motor started to falter about 10 minutes out from Queen’s wharf,” she said. “Ray was at the helm at the time and Bill (Mr Ross) was at the back. ’The boy called out that the motor was playing up and Bill went out toe back to the cabin. I was in the cockpit. The motor started again and then there was a terrific explosion. The boy came running out. He looked shocked and was badly burned. “We unlashed the dinghy

and launched a float. Two of toe boys and I got into the dinghy. The other boy got on the float. Bill was trying to salvage gear. “Then the dinghy started to sink. Flames were shooting out of the cabin and were hurting toe burned boy. We were frightened in case the petrol went. “I had a lifejacket on and we tried to kick away from the boat. “We were picked up by the Turmoil' which took us to the Port Nicholson club,” she said. Hundreds watched from the bays and hills as the sea closed over the hissing wreckage.