FIRE ON SHIP

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1924, Page 3

FIRE ON SHIP

KAIKOURA’S CARGO DAMAGED

(Per Press Association).

WELLINGTON, September 14. A fire on the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer, Kaikoura, now lying at Wellington wharf, damaged a considerable quantity of cargo, mostly copra. The fire was discovered on Saturday night on the x starboard side of the vessel aft. It being ascertained that the fire had secured a good hold, the services of the City Fire Brigade were secured. The ship’s hose was also brought to play, and the Harbour tug also came to the rescue with plant. Not much difficulty was experienced in extinguishing the fire. A large quantity of water was poured into the hold. The real extent of the damage-is difficult to ascertain, but it is hoped that nothing outside the copra cargo is seriously affected. The heat buckled the deck over the hold, and damaged the wireless plant, which will have to be re-erected. FIREMEN’S GREAT TASK. WELLINGTON, September 15. The firemen who descended the hold to tackle the flames, had a most dangerous task. The fumes were so thick and overpowering that smoke helmets were needed, though .some of the crew went into the hold with only wet handkerchiefs covering their faces. The oily copra made good fuel, and some other cargo in the vicinity, kauri gum, some kauri planks, and sacks holding sand, also caught alight. . The fire, which was discovered just after 11.30 on Saturday night, was not got completely under till 3.50 on Sunday morning. Great praise is due to all the fire-fighters for the manner in which the flames were prevented from spreading to other holds. In the after

part of No. 4 hold, there is stowed a considerable quantity of oils and paints, and had these ignited, the fire would probably have been disastrous. In the forward part of No. 5 hold there is a large quantity of flax, but the flames were prevented from reaching it. . The'flax was damaged by water, however. It was impossible to estimate the damage yesterday, but the loss will be heavy. Apart from the damage to the cargo, structural repairs will have

to be made to the ship. New decking is required, and jwssibly new plates on the starboard side. A new wireless installation will also probably have to be obtained, though an emergency set was workable yesterday. Gangs of men worked yesterday removing the damaged cargo to the Harbour, Board sheds. All of< it was loaded at Auckland. The capse of the fire is unknown, though the general opinion ascribes it to spontaneous combustion among the copra. The Kaikoura is of 8371 tons, owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company, but is running under charter to the Federal Company. The z Shipping Company’s superintendent does not expect the vessel, which was to have I sailed to-day for Lyttelton, will be I long delayed here, but must remain until Lloyd’s surveyor has. reached a ' decision.