LAUNCH BURNED
FIRE IN ENGINE-ROOM A SUDDEN BACKFIRE NARROW ESCAPE OF OWNER ST. HELIERS BAY OUTBREAK A narrow escape from serious injury was experienced by Mr. W. R. Craig, of Cha lienor Street, St. Heliers Bay, at St. Heliers Bay shortly before noon on Saturday, when a sudden backfire of the engine of his 28ft. motor-launch, the Ramona, resulted in a fire that burned the craft to the water's edge. The launch sank in about 10ft. of water within a quarter of an hour. The owner, who suffered considerably from shock, said later that he went on board the launch at her moorings to prepare for a short trip in the afternoon. He was alone and went to start the engine, when it backfired suddenly and immediately burst into flames. Petrol was ignited and Mr. Craig found it impossible to beat out the fire with sacks. The engine-room was a mass of flames in a moment, and the fire spread rapidly to the main cabin. Unable to get out through the engine-room hatch, he was obliged to run through the flames to reach the cockpit. With his clothes smouldering, Mr. Craig jumped over the side. Ho was barely clear of the burning launch when the petrol tank, containing about 10 gallons of spirit, exploded, the blazing fuel enveloping the whole craft in flames. In spite of the danger, Mr. Craig swam back to the launch, and managed to unhitch the dinghy, which had been made fast astern.
Mr. Craig clambered into the dinghy and rowed ashore to seek help, but the launch sank before anything could be done. Before the craft took its linal plunge the engine broke through the bottom and sank. Later it could bo seen on the seabed.
fire was witnessed by a nunibei of small boys, some of whom obtained a dinghy and rowed out to help. By the time they arrived, however, the launch had sunk and Mr. Craig was ashore. The Rainona, which was in her third season, was fully equipped for cruising, having sleeping accommodation for six. The engine was a two-cylinder Minerva. The launch was insured with Lloyds.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21799, 14 May 1934, Page 8
Word Count
356LAUNCH BURNED New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21799, 14 May 1934, Page 8
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