"BLOW OUT" ON R.M.S. TONGARIRO.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1171, 5 July 1911, Page 6

"BLOW OUT" ON R.M.S. TONGARIRO.

THE PASSENGERS ALARMED.

When R.lt.S. Tongariro, which arrived at Wellington from London yesterday, wa? about nine days' steam from Hobart, an accident happened in the engine-room which rather alarmed the passengers. It appears that about 10.30 on tho night in question, a report was heard, similar in sound to the breaking of a. gauge-glass At once volumes of steam were seen issuing from the stokehold gratings, and. this was accompanied by a hissing noise. Down below steam 'and water were issuing everywhere, but the engineers, taking in the situation at once, took immediate measures to shut off steam from the boilers altogether. Evon before this could be done, however, the rate of motion of the engines had slowed perceptibly, showing (hat something fairly seriou? had happened. Upon investigation it was found that the top of a combustion chamber at the back of one of (he boilers had given way, owing, it is said, to the weakness of a plate. The Tongariro has five boilers, with threa furnaces each, and, in the olio in which the accident occurred, the fires were put out by the escaping steam and water. The fivo boilers all connect with tho main steam-pipe which supplies the engines and auxiliary engines, so that it became necessary to cut the damaged boiler out, and come on with four.

Tho vessel was delayed for about two hours, and, during; this time, there was no electric light obtainable, owing to c.es?iitkr.i of steam for driving the ilynamocs, and candles and lamps had to be resorted to.

Notwithstanding the fact that, after tho mishap, ' the vessel only had four boilers generating steam, she managed to average 275 miles per day for the remainder of tho voyage. Originally, tho Tongariro only had four boilers, l )u t a fifth was subsequently added, to enable her to make faster lime. It is understood that repairs will bo effected at Wellington.

On the Tongnriro's arrival nt Hobart a fireman was responsible for cousins tlie passengers more uneasiness. It appears that lie came on board one evening intoxicated, and, mounting a hatchway, "held forth" to a number of third-class passengers, and made some allegations about the ship's condition. This, coining on ton of the accident, alarmed rnme. and the officers and engineers had difficulty in reassuring the nervous ones. On ' (he following morning (after having spent the night in gaol) the fircmnn relurned on board, nnrt expressed sorrow for bis behaviour and .statements.