BRITISH VESSEL BURNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 7

BRITISH VESSEL BURNED

COAL CARGO CATCHES FIRE.

FIGHT WITH THE FLAMES,

DAYS IN AN OPEN BOAT

By Telegraph— Press Association Copyright.

New York, January 9. The German barque Eilbek has just I rived with the captain and crew of the British collier Battle Abbey, a barque of 1606 tons, owned in Liverpool.

The Battle Abbey was burned at sea in December, by the coal cargo she was taking from Newcastle (New South Wales) to Vancouver becoming alight.

The coal burned for a week before the crew took to the whaleboat. Three days later the Eilbek rescued all hands.

Captain Masters, of the Battle Abbey, when interviewed yesterday, said he made a fair passage until three weeks out, and then the coal caught fire. The crew fought the flames for days unsuccessfully, and then took to the boats.

The first out was smashed against the ship's side, and the second was also stove in, but the third saved then!

In the early dawn of December 30 the crew put off from the burning ship, intending to make their way to the nearest land. Then the Eilbek came in sight and rescued them on January 2.

Captain Masters believes that the ship blew up after they abandoned her, owing to the huge quantities of gas generated in the hold. The captain's wife and two daughters were on board with him.