A Fire on a Steamer.
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE MAWHERA. [By Telegraph.] (Per Press Association.) Westport, This day. A fire was discovered in the main hold of the steamer Mawhera last night on her voyage from Nelson to Westport. When the hatch was lifted flames broke out. The hold was battened down again and the hose turned on until the fire was extinguished. The steerage passengers' bags were damaged and other cargo was scorched. No damage was done to the hull. In a bag belonging to a steerage passenger the remains of matches were found. It is supposed that when the bags were thrown into the hold at Nelson the matches ignited and smouldered 15 hours until the officer of the watch noticed the smoke coming through the ventilators. One case for Westport was considerably charred. The Greymouth cargo was damaged by water. The hold contained a large quantity of tow and the steamer had a narrow escape. The passengers were not made aware of the danger. Captains Ewen and Furneaux held a survey of the vessel, and she proceeded to Greymouth.
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Bibliographic details
Hastings Standard, Issue 370, 12 July 1897, Page 2
Word Count
182A Fire on a Steamer. Hastings Standard, Issue 370, 12 July 1897, Page 2
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