FIRE IN COAL CARGO

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 33, 2 November 1929, Page 11

FIRE IN COAL CARGO

TELEMACHUS LIMPS INTO. FREMANTLE CREW’S HARD FIGHT WITH OUTBREAK Perth, November 1. The steamer Telemachus limped into port after the crew had fought a fire in three holds for twelve days. On October 15 smoke was seen issuing from a hold. A party went below, but gas had formed to such an extent that four men were badly gassed. Hoses were played on the coal, but two days later a terrific explosion occurred in another hold, lifting the hatch covers. The boats were then swung out and all hands summoned on deck. Next day, the third hold was on fire, and a quantity of coal was jettisoned in a burning state. Gas was discovered and several of the crew were gassed. Trenches were dug in the coal and along them hoses were carried, but the flames increased and it was dangerous to dig further. . Wind-sails were used as hoses to carry water to the holds. One hatch was flooded. The seat of the fire is believed to be near the bottom of the ship. Pumps are now flooding the holds. '

[The Telemachus is the sixth steamer within three months to take fire when carrying coal from England to Australia. The King Cadwallon off South Africa in August was gutted by a fire in her coal cargo, and became a total loss. The Rhymorey put into Durban on September 3 with her cargo alight, and the hold of the Knockfierna had to be flooded at Albany on September 22 to extinguish smouldering fire in her cargo of coal. The Siltonhall with coal from Immingham for Adelaide was abandoned on September 23 in the Indian Ocean 2000 miles west of Perth. On October 22 the Anglo-Australian, with a full cargo of coal from Hull, berthed at Osborne with her cargo on fire. As a result of these extraordinary outbreaks, the insurance premiums have been raised to £3 per cent, on such voyages with coal cargoes.] .