SHIP ON FIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 June 1925, Page 5

SHIP ON FIRE

SYDNEY WHARF SENSATION.

DIFFICULT RESCUE WORK.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.,

■’ ■ SYDNEY; June 00. .. A disastrous fire oucurred at three /CfcOck this morning on the interstate - steadier Canberra, bertheu ,al iking StrSlDu wharf. The fire hau a strong hold when discovered.- anci iire whole vessel amidships soon was lit flames, which reached as high as the xjinnel. rrautically all. the passenger accommodation was ablaze. borne of trie passengers and crew were trapped. Four women wore brought w the wharf in a semi-con-, scions condition. Considerable, dil- . ficulty was experienced ni getting tne stewards out. » There were between forty and fifty people aboard at the time, and their' losses were considerable, practically all having tri make their escape in night attire. . . ■ ’ Owing to the vessel being held up, there were no fneinen aboard, and the electric 1 gilts were discpniiecled at midnight. It will be some weeks bel'oie ti.e vessel is again seaworthy. BRAVE STEWARD DEAD. SYDNEY, June 3U. The fire on the Canberra lias been subdued. The damage is very severe particularly amidships, where all ilie .leeks were gutted. When the firemen penetrated the saloon they lound the body of a steward, Reginald Craythoriie, of Melbourne. He was apparently overcome ami succumbed to the Hames.

C'raythorne had been engaged in rescue work and made several trips, carrying semi-conscious, passengers and stewardesses to safety. lie was last seen returning aboard to make i further search. The Canberra’-’ was pumped lull of water to subdue the I’lanies, and lias now taken a dangerous list. .