END OF THE PAPAROA

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, 10 April 1926, Page 4

END OF THE PAPAROA

BEAMAN’S THRILLING TALE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE "DONE. By Telegrapn.—Press Assn— Copyright. FREMANTLE, April 9. South African newspapers containing details of the sinkin’g of the steamer Paparoa arrived here by the Devon, which was about 400 miles behind the Paparoa when the mishap occurred. , One of the crew of the Paparoa, in a long statement, says that in order to investigate the seat of the fire the chief officer and chief engineer descended one of the holds, hut quickly returned, gasping for breath. All the fire appliances were brought into use but shortly the interior of the hold Iks came a mass of flame, terrific heat being generated. Water from hoses had no' effect on the fire, which burst through the deck,' and subsequently spread to the bridge, which burned like matchwood. The ship listed badly. Water poured into the stokehold, and the fires weie kept going with, the greatest difficulty, espewhen the bunkers caught* alight. The ship’s company were cheered by the news that the Barrabooi was only 130 miles away. A mierhty cheer went up when she appeared. ‘Even then none of fretting the to not abandoned, and an effort was made to get the water out of the hold. The fumes from bursting ammonia pipes added to the difficulties to be contended with. Finally, the effort had to be given up, and the firemen were withdrawn. , When the Barrabooi left the scene, the hull of th? Paparoa was still burnlng, hut H.M.S. Birmingham was then in attendance.