FIRES AT SEA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 640, 4 February 1914, Page 5

FIRES AT SEA.

STEAMER MOA ABLAZE. IN WANGANUI ROADSTEAD. A FIREMAN KILLED. [by telegraph.—bkess association.] Wanganui, Tuesdav. The steamer Moa, bound to Wanganui from Wellington, is a fire in the roadstead, five miles from the entrance.

She is ablaze from stem to atern. The steamer Arapawa is standing by, and lighters have gone to her assistance. It is reported that there is no hope of saving the vessel, which has a load of benzine and kerosene aboard. She left Wellington at 11 o'clock last night and was sighted by the Wanganui pilot at 9.45 a.m. Later. The Arapawa arrived at the wharf at 11.45 with the survivors from the Moa, one of whose firemen, a man nan-ed Kennedy, was killed. It appears that be was sitting on the hatch in the bow of the ve3sel, when an ex plosion occurred, killing him instantly. In an incredibly short space of time the vessel was ablaze from stem to stern." The flames leaping from her ports and funnel, the crew were unable to launch the boats, which were instantly wrapped in flames. They threw lifebuoys and bits of wood overboard, and then jumped into the sea

Meanwhile, the Arapawa, which had been lying about a mile away, was ruahing ta their assistance, but she could not approach within 100 sards of the burning vessel owing to the terrific heat, and the fact that the Arapawa herself was loaded with over 4000 cases of benzine and kerosene, made that vessel's position anything but safe, even at that distance. Boats were lowered from the Arapawa, and fortunately all the men were picked up. So suddenly did the survivors have to leave the 3oomed vessel, that it was impossible to attempt to recover the body of their unfortunate comrade. As it was, there could have been no hope for those aboard the Moa had the Arapawa not been handy. One fireman was rather badly burned, but the other survivors escaped unhurt.

FURTHER DETAILS,

Wanganui, This Day. The hulk of the burnt Moa was still floating off the beach last night. During the whole day large volumes of smoke were emitted together with flames, which leaped mast high. A magnificent spectacle was witnessed about 8 o'clock at night when a terrific explosion occurred, apparently amidships. This was followed by a wonderfully brilliant crimson light which lit up the land and sea for miles around. This was apparently the grand finale foi? the flames seemed to die out shortly atfer and completely disappeared about 10 o'clock.

VESSEL DRIFTING INSHORE.

Wanganui, Tuesday Night. The survivors from the Moa lost all their belongings, including a month's wages and other moneys. The crew comprised: —W. H. Sawyers, captain; R. Read, mate; E. Greenwood, first engineer; W. Higgins and R. Nelson, firemen; W. Kennedy (killed) and W. Bannatyne, A.B's.; J. Giflney and C. McAlinden, O.S's.; S. Gavin, cook; R. Alexander, cabin boy. At 2 45 p.m. the vessel waß still blazing, the flames reaching above the funnel. The masts are still standing, and the vessel is drifting inßhore. She is now about half a mile from the beach, two miles south of the breakwater.

COAL BARQUE BURNT.

HARDSHIPS OF CREW. By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright Received this day, 8.55 a.m. Sydney, This Day. The American mail steamer brought details of the burning at sea of the British barque Battle Abbey, bound from Newcastle to Vancouver, coal laden. „ , it j The barque Eilbek landed the cap- j tain and his wife and two voung daughters, together with sixteen officers and crew of the Battle Abbey, at Oregon. The Battle Abbey left Newcastle on October 18th. When three weeks out fire was discovered amongst the coal in the holds. It spread rapidly and after three days' fighting, when an explosion was apparently imminent, it was decided to abandon the ve3sel. The weather was rough and the first two boats were smashed in launching. All aboard got away safely in the third ard last boats. From Wednesday morning till Fri* day evenii g they were tossed on a stormy sea. "and were drenehed, but had plenty if food and water. They ther sighted the Eilbek and Were taken tboard. The sapt&in declared the Battle Abbey was surely blown up. She was smoking fore and aft, and gas was generating fast when the vessel was abandoned.