FIRE AT SEA

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1935, Page 5

FIRE AT SEA

TANKER ABLAZE

RUSH TO RESCUE.

(United Press Association—By Electrio

Telegraph—Copyright.;

(Received this day at 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 21

The ‘British tanker, Valivertida is ablaze, 150 miles east of Bahamas. It sent an S.O.S—“A fire swept through the engine room and the flames are now on deck and burning fast. Two lifeboats were lost.”

•The German steamer Saarlander, the Dutch freighter Costarica and the Norwegian tanker Sasten are going to the rescue.

WELLINGTON* January 21

The Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department has been advised from the Rarotonga Radio Station that the steamer Varterada is afire, in tfie position 25.17 degrees north rat., and 52.00 degrees west iong. The boats over her engiueroom are now burning, and the engiueroom is ablaze.

It is understood that the Rangitiki and another vessel a r e pi'ececding to her assistance.

RUSH TO RESCUE

FIRE HAS GREAT HOLD

{Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) HALIFAX, (Nova scotia), January, 21.

On fire a thousand miles east of Florida, the Ditish ioil-tanker, VLilvei’ada, with thirty-six men called for help, while the flames threatened to silence the wireless. A message stated — “Do not expect the electrical system to hold out much longer.” At least six ships are speeding towards her, led by the British cruiser, Frobisher. , The Rangitiki diverted her course to ass : st the Vaierad a , but resumed her course when told the others wore nearer. JAF VESSEL

ALSO IN DANGER SAN FRANCISCO, January 21. The “Globe” state a wireless .S.O.S. from the Japanese freighter Rokunian :M»ru, with thirty-five men aboartl. bound f-'om Vancouver to Osaka, Japan, states she has a starbord list of seventeen degrees and is taking water, several hundred miles west of Cape Flattery. The Kasku Mart is proceed ing to her aid, also a United States Coast Guard cutter, Chelan from Port iWngcls, 'WI? sibling ton.