BENZINE EXPLOSIONS ON SHIPBOARD
PRECAUTIONS TO BE 'lAKEN, Fires and explosions 011 board ships laden with benzine was the subject of a question addressed by Mr. C. H. Poole to the Minister of Marine ia the llouso of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Poole asked the Minister whether his attention had been drawn to the most recent report of such, an explosion. Explosions had occurred on aji oversea vessel, the Arahura, and now the Breeze. The Hon. G. "\Y. Russell replied: "I can, give the honourable gentleman an assurance that the Marine Department has been watching this matter \ fry closely. Reports were received particularly in connection with the case of the Arahura explosion off' Gisborne some two months ago. The honourable gentloman will understand that wo have not had svfficient experience of handling largo qvantities of inflammable oils as they have had in other countries Mr. Poole: You have been getting a few hints. Mr. Russell: Tes, wo havo l.een taking hints and studying them. J proposo to get prepared a stateimont o£ what has been done in other countries. In tho meantime tho conclusion wo ha*u ccme to is that regulations be at once issued inaldng it a penal offence for Miy person on board a sliip to approach stores of infl.unmablo oil. with a naked Ji'sht. Some of these explosions have occurred in holds and'somo in other parts of ships, and I think the danger might havo been averted if it had been made a penal offence for anyone to approach the stores of oil with a naked light. The prohibition of this is the first thing to be done. Mr. Payne asked whether tjio Marine Department had considered the possibility of eomo of the fires that had broken out on troopships having lieen brought about by the criminal use of certain chemicals. 'Mr. Russell said that his attention had not been drawn to this possibility, buit lie would have a report made on tho subject, and refer tho question to the Government Analyst for his opinion.
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Bibliographic details
Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3145, 25 July 1917, Page 5
Word Count
337BENZINE EXPLOSIONS ON SHIPBOARD Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3145, 25 July 1917, Page 5
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