CHAMPAGNE AND CIGARETTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3184, 1 April 1911, Page 5

CHAMPAGNE AND CIGARETTES.

TRAGEDY ON BOARD A LINER

When the Wilson liner Hero reached Hull from Dunkirk on February 9, three dead men were found in* the hold. It is supposed that they were French dock workers, and that they went down into the hold at Dunkirk to have some champagne of which the Hero had twentythree cases on board. Soon after the Hero left Dunkirk smoke was seen coming from the hold. It is thought that tlie throe men drank too much champagne, then began smoking, and threw down .lighted matches, which set fire to the ship, N-o one-sus-pected at the time that men were in the hold, -and, after water had been poured in, the hatches were fastened down and the captain made for Hull at full speed. Smoke again came from the hold when the hatches were raised at Hull, and baste was made to clear the cargo. The three dead men were then found. I hendeath was apparently due to suffocation. Cigarette l ends and empty champagne bottles lay near them.