FIRE IN SHIP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19133, 30 September 1936, Page 4

FIRE IN SHIP

WIWGATUI REACHES PORT ARRIVAL AT NAPIER BERTHAGE ARRANGED BRIGADE STANDING BY (Per Press Association.) NAPIER.; last night. •: The Union Steam Ship Company's 2370-ton freighter Wingatui, which earlier in the day had been reported to be on fire while en route from Dunedin to Auckland, put into Napier, where she arrived about 8 o'clock this evening. It was reported that the outbreak occurred either in a portion of her cargo of lime in No. 3 hold or in the coal in her bunkers. Because the tide was at its ebb, she was unable to berth at the breakwater, but she is to do so at about 1 o'clock in the morning, when an immediate start will be made to unload portion of her cargo, so that the origin of the outbreak, which is of a smouldering nature, may be investigated. Immediately on the vessel's arrival off the breakwater to-night, harbour officials and the manager of the Napier branch ot the company, Mr. H. V. Bell, went out to the slupl in a launch, and, on their return, it was learned that the' origin of the trouble had not been definitely located. It seemed that it had occurred either in No. 3 hold, where slaked lime is stored, or in one of the coal bunkers, but definite investigations could not be carried out until the vessel had berthed and portion of her cargo was unloaded. This will be commenced at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning and, in the meantime, the Napier Fire Brigade was held in readiness to give assistance, should its services be required. If necessary, the brigade's engine will he loaded on to a lighter and, from there, pump water into the W r ingatui., When the vessel arrived off the breakwater there was no sign of smoke or flames to be seen, which was probably somewhat of a disappointment to some 400 interested onlookers to the proceedings.