SHIP ON FIRE

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 7

SHIP ON FIRE

ENGINE ROOM GUTTED. OUTBREAK ON OIL TANKER. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 21. Fire broke out on the British oil tanker Valverda, of 8807 tons, in midAtlantic to-day and, in response to a wireless call for immediate help, six merchantmen of various nationalities are reported to be steaming with all speed to the scene. Reports state that two ships of the British Navy are also proceeding to the Valverda's assistance, one of them being the cadet training cruiser Frobisher, which, it is expected, will reach the Valverda about midnight, and the other is unidentified. The Admiralty has received no confirmation, but it states that the Frobisher, which left Sheemess for Trinidad on January 11, is probably in the vicinity. Other British cruisers at present in the West Indies are the York and Delhi. The owners received a telegram from the master of the Valverda this afternoon, stating that the engine-room was gutted and that the flames are now subsiding.

OUTBREAK CONQUERED

FRENCH SHIP STANDING BY.

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.40 p.m.) New York, January 21. The Valverda fire has been conquered. The engineroom has been completely gutted. The French ship Petit Terre is standing by.