FIRE NEARLY OUT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1933, Page 5

FIRE NEARLY OUT

ON NEW FRENCH LUXURY LINER. TUGS' TAKE VESSEL IN TOW. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 5. 0 The still-burning hull of the l’Atlantique, carried by wind and current, drifted slowly along the English Channel, to-day. She appeared through the mist a few miles off Portland Bill, this morning. Crowds watched her slow progress as, wreathed in steam and smoke, and surrounded by tugs and other vessels, she proceeded eastwards.

This afternoon, the tugs succeeded in taking her in tow, but it is not yet certain whether she will he put ashore, whether she will sink herself, or whether a French warship,- standing by, will 1 send her to the bottom, if the liner threatens to become a danger to shipping.

This evening, the “l’Atlantique was 15 miles south of the Needles, and was moving westward with tile terming tide, while the fir© 'seemed almost to have burnt itself out.

Airmen who have flown over her say that her three funnels are intact, but the foremast is broken and droops over the water, while the rest of her is mainly a. tangle of burnt or burning debris. TOWING THE HULK. (Received Jan. 7th. at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 6. Captain Sclioffs boarded l’Atlantique in mid-Channel and inspected the ship. He wirelessed the result of his .investigations to the owners. She is being towed to Cherbourg instead of Havre. The fire lias visibly abated.

It is established that the fire began in a cabin, wherein mattresses were stored. It is possible a 'sailor dropped a cigarette spark. A steward saw smoke emerging from a crevice in a door and opened it. A stifling cloud, enveloped him, and the alarm was given.