BENZINE SHIP AFIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11686, 26 November 1923, Page 7

BENZINE SHIP AFIRE

FLAMES RISE MAST-HIGH SURVIVORS OF EXPLOSION JUMP INTO SEA. OVER TWENTY DEATHS. By Telegraph.—Frees Assn. —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 25 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, November 23. An explosion occurred aboard the steamer Otterburn, lying at the outer breakwater "at Marseilles, ready to sail at daylight. There were 20 deaths. The vessel was bound Horn Barcelona to New York, with a cargo of cotton goods, chlorates, and benzine. Three explosions took place in quick succession at 1 o’clock in the morning. Dense volumes of smoke arose, and the Otterburn was quickly enveloped in fanes. The port authorities, in response to the wireless calls, speedily sent out motor launches and floating fire-engines, but no firemen could board the steamer, as she was burning fiercely amidships and astern, the flames rising mast-high. The decks glowed red-hot. The fire-fighters were just ready to bomb and sink the ship, when a motorlaunch' reported that members of the crew were clinging to the anchorchains, perched in the bows. As the fire-fighters could not approach nearer, they shouted to the survivors to jump into the sea. ©This they did, and 23 were rescued. Several bodies were also picked up. ROARING FURNACE. The fire partially burned itself out, and several men were able to board the ship forward. Between decks was still a roaring furnace. Two charred bodies were picked up at the bottom of the Bridge ladder. Later it' was stated that there were 15 stowaways aboard, hoping to get to America. All of them perished. Some quarters attribute the fire to the stowaways, and suggest that they 6moked in their hiding-places below.