ANXIOUS TIME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 21 June 1937, Page 5

ANXIOUS TIME

MOTOR SHIP ON FIRE PASSENGERS TAKE TO BOATS BUT RETURN [United Press Association—By Electric* -elcgrapb—CopyrightJ SYDNEY, 20th June. Wireless advice was received that the Burns Philp MotOtship Macdhui is afire off Fortification Point, New Guinea. Reports state that at one a.a.m a fire broke out in the fuel oil when the vessel was en route from Lae to Madang. The fire developed seriously and the passengers took to the boats, but after a little time the fire was subdued and the passengers, numbering 38, returned to the Vessel at 5 a.m. Shortly afterwards a -fire was discovered under No. 4 hatch, and it Was deemed advisable to put 150 native members of the crew ashore, the vessel being only six miles off the coast. The passengers were still aboard. The latest advice, received at 5.30 o’clock this afternoon stated that the hatch-sealed fire had apparently been subdued. The steamer Neptuna, which was 300 miles away when the fire broke out, is going to the Macdhui’s assistance and will probably tow her to Madang, but she cannot arrive at the scene before to-morrow. ENGINES DISABLED (Received 21st June, 10.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Maehdul’s engines were disabled by fire and the vessel wag drifting off New Guinea when the Neptuna reached her at 2 o’cock in the morning. PASSENGERS TRANSFERRED (Received 21st June, 1,5 pm) SYDNEY, This Day. The following wireless message was received from the Macdhui: “Transferred all passengers to the Neptuna at three this morning. Being towed slowly by the Neptune for Salamaua.” A radio received frortl the Neptuna states: “Re-embarking natives from Fortification Point thence to Salamaua. Weather good.”