RIVER DRAMA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23333, 29 April 1939, Page 10

RIVER DRAMA

LAUNCH DESTROYED f FIRE AT A REGATTA rescue of passengers [from OtTB CVFN cohrespoxdent] SYDNEY, April 21 Bursting into flames on the Parra» matta River, at the University Rowing Club's regatta, a 45ft. launch crowded with passengers was destroyed within - half an hour. Oil board were about 50 supporters of the Sydney High, School, who w<?re cheering two of their school crews in a struggle for victory in the final of the maiden fours. As the flames spread from one end of the boat to the other, the passengers were rescued by men in speedboats who rushed to their assistance. A few minutes after they had been taken off, the launch was a mass of flames. TJie blazing craft was anchored near the finishing line and the rescuing craft were able to reach the passengers within a few seconds. The fire started in the engine-room of the launch. The first indications came when smoke issued from the cowling above the engine. One of the deckhands seized a small fire extinguisher and rushed down the ladder from the pilot's cabin into the engine-room. Met by thick fumes, he was soon driven back.

As the flames; spread, the passengers were driven to the rear of the launch. Women on board, several carrying young children, were helped to-the rear and lifted into the first speedboat as it raced alongside. The owner and driver of the launch, Reginald William Agar, and the deckhand, Charles Ratcliffe, courageously stuck to their posts and endeavoured to extinguish the fire. Tbeir task was hopeless. Agar, who was slightly burned and suffered from shock, told the police who investigated the accident that it was probably due to the engine backfiring. He said he went down to the engine-room and found it on fire. The heat and fumes prevented him from reaching two fire extingjiishers, end so "he raced to the upper deck, where he wrenched the petrol tank free, ito avoid an explosion, and Handed it 'to a boat that was near.

The launch was taken in tow and beached, where firemen extinguished the flames, but not before it had become a charred shell.