WOOL FIRES AT SEA.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 13, 12 February 1907, Page 5

WOOL FIRES AT SEA.

— INTERESTING EVIDENCE. The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the causes of recent fires on flax and wool laden vessels sat in Wellington last week, and took the evidence of Captain John Palmer Forsdick, of the Orari, who was Captain' of the Waimale on two occasions on which fires broke out on that vessel - the first in flax cargo and the second in wool. Captain Forsdick, speaking of the fire which broke out on the Waimate on xGth January, 1905, when she was ten days out from Wellington, said both flax and tow were burnt in the middle of the bales as well as outside. The seat of the fire was not near wool or other cargo. Witness was convinced that the fire was not caused by extraneous fire getting into the hold, Witness condemned the practice of allowing bales of flax to bo dumped on the wharf on lop of tallow stains—a practice which was more prevalent in Wellington than at other purls. The absorption of the grease by the bales added to any danger there might be. Returning to the subject of the fire already mentioned, Captain Forsdick said the water put down the hold saturated many bales of flax, and healing was evident in a very short time; but as these bales were frequently turned the temperature became lower. The wetted wool bales also became heated. The heat of the fire was so great that it was necessary to have two or three plates in the ’tween decks taken up and replaced. The second fire that occurred on the Waimate during Captain Forsdick's period of command was that ot last year. The vessel left Wellington on 21st April. On 31st May smoke was seen issuing from the ventilators. At first there was little smoke, but a strong smell of ammonia and evidence of wnol burning. The outbreak was extinguished by a gas extinguisher. While the vessel was at Tcnerifte witness bad the hatches opened. There was no smell of fire, The vessel left Teneriffe on 2nd June, and on the sth the fire broke out again in the same hold. This outbreak was also extinguished by the chemical fire engine. When the hatches were opened in London it was ascertained that the seat of the lire was right down on the floor in the wing on the port side of the lower hold. The wool in that hold was nine tiers high, in double dumps. The wool in which the outbreak started was shipped at Lyttelton. Five bales were ruined almost completely. When one of the bales was brought on the deck it burst into flame. When the balance was brought up and put into a lighter to be taken up the river to London it was covered with a tarpaulin. Witness had been told that on the following morning this wool also was discovered to be on fire, UNDENIABLE FACTS Since Tussicura was placed on the market no remedy has achieved so wide a success as this preparation, and its name is a household word in thousands of homes in every part of New Zealand. These are facts that cannot be denied, and the favour it has secured is due entirely to the mixture being exactly what it professes to be—namely, an absolutely infallible cure for all diseases to which the thrbat, lungs, and bronchial tubes are liable. Its effect is immediate and permanent. Price 2s 6d per bottle; obtainable from all chemists and Storekeepers.