A STEAMER ON FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11952, 29 April 1902, Page 5

A STEAMER ON FIRE.

THE MOKAU BADLY DAMAGED. [UY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

New Plymouth, Monday. Woeij has been received that the new steamer Mokau, owned by the Tarannki Colliery, .Limited, wits seriously damaged by lire in the Mokau River on Sunday.

The Mokau was fully laden with co.-.1, and was lying at, the Heads awaiting the tide. The fire Was discovered at half-past foilo'clock on Sunday morning. Captain Jonas was on deck at four o'clock, but noticed nothing wrong. Half an hour later the cook was awakened by the heat and discovered the fire, which appeared to have started in the wooden bunkers. He called all hands. who fought desperately, but could not at first subdue the flames. About half-past sis o'clock, however, their efforts resulted in checking and finally subduing the fire. Th? clock, deck-houses, and wheel were 'Tactically destroyed, and the flames rose up the mast; so high as to destroy the sails. The steamer will be brought on to New Plymouth to undergo a full examination an.', repairs. The engines and hull are safe. The vessel is supposed to be insured in the Sydney office of the Alliance Company. The crew lost all their effects. Temporary repairs will be effected and the boat will then bo sent to doe!;.