FIRE IN THE APARINA

New Zealand Mail, 27 August 1902, Page 23

FIRE IN THE APARINA

ALBANY", August 20. The Union Company’s steamer Aparima, bound from Calcutta to New Zealand, has arrived with her cargo on lire. The fire was first noticed smouldering in the vessel’s forward bunkers on Sunday, but it was not till 11 o’clock yesterday morning, when seventy miles past Albany, that the situation became so serious that it was decided to put back.

Soon after it was apparent that the fire had extended to No. 2 hold. The latter was uncovered, and the flames mounted over the bridge. By concentrating the efforts of the crew on the hold all night the fire was got sufficiently under control to allow the hatches to be closed.

Since arrival water has been pumped into the bunkers. Should the appliances aboard prove ineffectual, a dredge will be employed to flood the bunkers, in which it is estimated there is a hundred tons of coal. Smoke is still issuing from No. 1 and No. 2 holds, and the blinkers and decks are spruno* and the fittings damaged. The vessel has a cargo of 8000 tons. It is believed 2000 tons in No. 2 hold is badly damaged, and a quantity in No. 1 hold considerably damaged. . ALBANY, August 21. Latest reports concerning the Apanma, whiah arrived yesterday on fire, while on her way from Calcutta to New Zealand, are that the fire was still smouldering in the hold of the vessel, but was being subdued. The deck is badly sprung, and the officers’ cabin scorched. It is feared that about 4000 tons of cargo, "which includes consignments of jute and spices, are damaged. The bunkers, where there are some 800 tons of coal, are smouldering. • There is nothing fresh to report in reference to the Aparima. ALBANY, August 22. The work of suppressing the fire on the Union Company’s steamer Aparima is proving difficult. Constant streams of water were directed on the burning masses of coal on Wednesday night and assistance was rendered by a dredge. Good headway was made, but at 4 o’clock in the morning the flames again blazed up, and assistance had to be summoned from shore.

Last night there was over 10 feet of water in the well, and the vessel settled down on the harbour bottom, which is very soft.

The Aparima is on her maiden voyage to the colony. The vessel only recently left the builders’ yards. She made a trip from Fiume, Austria., to the Cape with horses, and then went to

Calcutta and Singapore to load foi Not.' Zealand. The Aparima was to have made Wellington her first port ef eall. She has 6000 tons of cargo. Captain Courbarron, formerly of the steamer Whangape, is in command of the Apariina. Captain Courbarron is well known in New Zealand, he Laving been connected with the Union Company for a considerable time.