SHIP ON FIRE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11129, 31 July 1907, Page 2

SHIP ON FIRE.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, last night. Tlie watchman on the wharves heard a loud explosion at 7.40 this evening,' and looking in the direction whence it came, saw flames leaping up from the after hatchway of the snip Melville . Island, as high as the crochet yard. along with fire extinguishing apparatus, ;^they poured water' into the hold,: and to a "certain extent 6ubdued the outbreak. The fire brigade was quickly on the scene, and the hatchway was closed and battened down. ; The fire had reached the sails on the mizzen . mast, and a man had to be sent aloft with hand grenades to put it out. ; It isi; hoped that the f fire below will be smothered. In the meantime the brigadesmen are awaiting developments, being stationed'on the wharf with the most powerful appliances at their disposal. The hull of the vessel, a big steer ship^is warm, for two-thirds, of it? length. Tli©. Alelville Islaridi had jußt r compli_ted thedischarge off -a carge of creasote, arid was'taking ia. ballast *to-day prior to sailing for Newcastle. , . > Tliis day,— An inspection is being made to-day of the.6bip Melville Island, with a view to ascertaining .the; extent of tne damage caused by an explosion of creosote last night. The damage done to the sails and mizzen mast of the vessel is considerable, the mast being charred for nearly half of its total' length, while the sails are burnt through in many places, and scorched over their whole area.