EXPLOSION ON STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16600, 25 July 1917, Page 6

EXPLOSION ON STEAMER.

BENZINE FUMES IGNITE.

ENGINEER SEVERELY INJURED

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Tuesday A startling accident occurred on the steamer Breeze ■while she was being berthed at King's Wharf yesterday afternoon. About 9000 cases of benzine had been taken aboard, and the third engineer, Mr. W. Ullrich, was making an examination in the propeller shaft tunnel with a naked light, when, apparently, the benzine fumes ignited, causing a violent explosion. Mr. Ullrich was blown through from the tunnel to the engine-room, where the crew found him lying with his hair singed off, and his face and arms severely burned. He was sent to the hospital. Officials consider it marvellous that the vessel was not blown up. It is surmised that some of the benzine cases were leaking, and the wonder is that the flame of the explosion did not ignite these. The Breeze left for Dunedin late last night.

BENZINE-LADEN SHIPS.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

REGULATIONS TO BE ISSUED.

[BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Fires and explosions on board ships ! laden with benzine was, the subject of an ' inquiry by Mr. G. H. Poole (Auckland West) in the House of Representatives today. Mr. Poole said that explosions had occurred on the Waitotara. the Arahura, and the Breeze, and an overseas vessel. The Hon. G. W. Russell replied that the Marine Department had been watching the matter very closely. Reports had been received, particularly in connection with, the case of the Arahura explosion off Gisborne some two months ago. "We have not had sufficient experience in handling large quantities of inflammable oils, as they have had in other countries," he added. Mr. Poole: You have been getting a few hints. Mr. Russell: I propose to get prepared j a statement of what has been done in j other countries. In the meantime the conclusion we have come to is that regulations are at once to be issued making it a penal offence for any person on board a j ship to approach stores of inflammable oil ' with a naked light. Some of these explosions have occurred in holds and some in other parts of the ships, and I think the danger might have been averted if such a regulation had been in force. j Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) asked whether the Marine Department had considered the possibility of some of the fires that had broken out on troopships having been brought about by the criminal use j of certain chemicals. < Mr. Russell said that his attention had ! not been drawn to this possibility, but he would have a report made on the subject and refer the question to the Government analyst for his opinion.