LINER DISABLED

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 84, 8 April 1936, Page 18

LINER DISABLED

How an all-electric woncer ship was paralysed by a combination of circumstances which would probably not happen more than once in a million times was revealed by Captain R. Arndt, when the 17,518-tons new North German liner Potsdam arrived at Southampton recently, says "The Daily Mail."

The vessel anchored off Ryde, Isle of Wight to land 192 passengers who were on their way to the Far East when the Potsdam was disabled in the Channel owing to an outbreak of fire.

Captain Arndt said that the fire was caused through the breaking of a highpreasure turbine lubrication pipe in such a place that, as, chance had it, oil spurted on part, of the turbine where steam was entering at a temperature of 450deg. centigrade and over the main electrical resistances.

There was a blinding flash, the resistances were burned, all lights went out,'the main engines stopped, and the new press-the-button steering device on the bridge was no longer effective.

The Potsdam ran on until she came to a standstill, and then anchored.

Light was restored after two or three minutes, and meanwhile twentyseven firemen led by Mr. Berger, the second engineer—who was burned on the hands and face —battled in gasmasks in the engine-room.

Boats were swung out in case of emergency, all ventilators and watertight doors were closed, and passengers were told to dress and proceed to the first and tourist lounges, where they remained until the fire had been subdued.

At length the vessel proceeded, but she was able to steam ahead only, and with the press-button steering still out of action all navigating orders had to be telephoned from the bridge to emergency plant aft.

"The passengers behaved magnificently and there was never a suggestion of panic." said Captain Arndt. "When they assembled in the lounges we served them with coffee. Later we told them all was well and they went back to bed."

Before landing, all passengers signed a testimonial to the commander and crew.