ALMOST BURNT OUT

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 12

ALMOST BURNT OUT

GROUNDED LINER

THE ILL-FATED ORUNGAL

(Received December 14, 9 a.m.)

MELBOURNE, December 13.

The inter-State liner Orungal, which grounded near the Port Phillip Heads on November 21, caught fire early today and was almost completely burnt out. Much of the vessel's cargo had been lightered and an attempt was to have been made this weekend to refloat her.

The fire, which was discovered at 2.30 a.m., swept quickly through the ship, gaining a strong hold on the large quantities of crude oil on board.

Of the salvage crew of 60 on board only two suffered slight injuries. Both were trapped in the engine-room while fighting the fire.

The fire is believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion. It

broke out in the boiler-room and quickly got out of hand. The crew acted with great courage when, at much risk, they rolled overboard large drums of oil.

Preparations for refloating the liner had been carried on in a race against time during the week to lighten the vessel sufficiently to attempt to tow it off on the spring tides at the weekend. The engine-room had been pumped out and steam raised to assist in the discharge of cargo. It is believed that the hopes of salvage were good but there are doubts now whether any attempt will be made.

The fire was still burning late this afternoon.