Fire In Big Launch: Old Man’s Patient Work Believed Ruined

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22696, 22 July 1948, Page 6

Fire In Big Launch: Old Man’s Patient Work Believed Ruined

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 21. years of hard work and patient craftsmanship by a man of 85 were ruined by a lire which broke out in the almost completed 52ft. launch Pioneer on the Pctone foreshore

early yesterday morning. The launch, 52ft. in length with a 14ft. beam, was being built by Mr. Charles Thomas Scorringc, and was completed except for installation of the screw. Mr. Scorringc had been waiting for some time to have this work done, but engineering firms had had their hands full.

Though not spectacular, the fire seriously damaged the inside of the launch, and is expected to have weakened the ribs so that the boat will be useless except perhaps for conversion into a scow. The fire was put out by the Petonc Fire Brigade. It had broken out amidships, and was possibly caused, Mr. Scorringe thinks, by sparks from a chimney. . Mr. Scorringe built the boat himself with help from his two sons when it came to jobs where agility was required. Now he doubts whether lie will ever build another boat. Had the completed screw been available. two days would have been long enough to have the Pioneer ready for the water.