FIRE ON PAPAROA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 110, 9 April 1926, Page 7

FIRE ON PAPAROA

GREAT HEAT GENERATED

WATER HAD NO EFFECT

TRIALS OF STOKEHOLD CREW,

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received April 9, 9.55 a.m. FREMANTLE, April 9.

South African newspapers containing details of the sinking of the steamer Paparoa arrived hero by the Devon, which was about 400 miles behind the Paparoa when the mishap occurred.

One of the crew of the Paparoa, in a lengthy statement, says that in order to investigate tho seat of the fire the chief officer and chief engineer descended one of the holds and quickly returned gasping for breath. All the firo appliances were brought into use, but shortly tho interior of the hold became a mass of flame, terrific heat being generated. Water from the hoses had no effect on tho fire, which burst through the deck and subsequently spread through the bridge, which burned like matchwood. The ship listed badly. "Water Eoured into the stokehold and the res were kept going with tho greatest difficulty, especially when the bunkers caught alight. The ship’s company were cheered by tho news that tho Barrabool was only 130 miles away, and a mighty cheer wont up when she appeared. Even then hopo of getting the vessel to port was not abandoned. An effort was made to get tho water out of the hold, which added to the difficulties of the men in tho stokehold. Fumes from tho burning ammonia pipes had also to bo contended with. Finally rho effort had to be given up and tho firemen withdrawn. "When the Barrabool left tho scene tho hull of tho Paparoa was still burning, but tho warship Birmingham was then in attendance. —Press Association.