FATE OF THE PAPAROA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 11

FATE OF THE PAPAROA

CREW’S FIGHT WITH FLAMES HEROIC EFFORTS TO SAVE SHIP. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) FREMANTLE, April 9. South African newspapers, containing the details of the sinking 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 lengthy statement, says that in order to investigate the seat of the fire the chief officer and chief engineer descended one of the holds and quickly returned gasping for breath. All the fire appliances were brought into use, but shortly the interior of the hold became a mass of flame, terrific heat being generated. Water from the 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 and water poured into the stokehold. The fires were kept going with the greatest difficulty, especially when the bunkers caught alight. The ship’s company was cheered by the news that the Barrabool was only 130 miles away, and a mighty cheer went up when she appeared. Even then, hope of getting the vessel to port was not abandoned, and an effort was made to get the water out of the hold, which added to the difficulties of the men in the stokehold, as the fumes from the burning ammonia pipes had to be contended with. Finally the effort had to be given up, and the firemen withdrawn. When the Barrabool left the scene the hull of the Paparoa, was still burning, but the warship Birmingham was then in attendance.