ON FIRE AT SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18388, 2 May 1923, Page 9

ON FIRE AT SEA.

NO ANSWER TO S.O.S.

GREAT FIGHT BY CREW.

!>The steamer "Mesopotamia/: which > arrived in Sydney recently, caught fire between Capetown and South America, and the crew had terrible experiences. The Mesopotamia was 1100 miles from land on a route traversed by very few ships, and S.O.S. messages were unanswered. . ' ■ - The crew thought that the ship would sink. The seas were so big that it would have been practically impossible to launch i the '- touts. But for the fire being got ' under control after a. terrible 24 hoars, all would, have perished. The Mesopotamia had shipned a large jute cargo at Rangoon for South America, and she called at Capetown en route. When about four days out the fire was discovered jn the jute cargo in the after hold. Within a few minutes masses of flame were bursting through the hatches from the hold. Great volumes of dense smoke accompanied the Barnes. When the crew tried to approach they were repeatedly knocked back. 'The' crew tied wet raes around their faces, and managed to lift the hatches. The smoke and flames leaped at them, and many had to he out on the deck for relief. After fighting the fire for over a day, the me- f?tjfc»ed«l in flooding the ~.%t" and the fire was extinguished. : ' The damage was extensive. So intense was the heat in the Somes that manv iron plates were bnckled. The woodwork was burnt to ashes, and all had to be'rebuilt. ;';;• ■; ■'..•■'"■ ;-When the Mesopotamia arrived at South I America it took - : three week* to get the | jute cargo from her. It was in a frightI ful state from tire, and water, and had I to: be taken. oat in pieces- .