FIRE ON SUSSEX

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 16

FIRE ON SUSSEX

1,600 TONS OF CARGO DAMAGED OUTBREAK AT SAMARANG When fire broke out on the Union Company’s steamer Sussex soon after the vessel left Samarang for Auckland on April 26, cargo amounting to 1,600 tons was damaged. The Sussex arrived at Auckland yesterday afternoon J om Calcutta. The fire broke out in No. 4 hold, and at the time the vessel was carrying a full cargo of Eastern products from Calcutta, Rangoon, Singapore, Penang, and Samarang. The first sign of the outbreak was discovered by an engineer, who saw dense smoke coming from the afterpart of the engineroom. It was at first thought that the bunkers were on lire, but investigations ultimately showed that the fire was in the ’tween decks, and difficulty was experienced in fighting the fire, as the hold was full of cargo. Water was pumped into the hold, but as there appeared to be no chance of subduing the outbreak, the vessel’s course was changed to Samarang. the port she had left but an hour before. Anchorage only being provided at Samarang, it was necessary to have the assistance of a fire-float in the firefighting. The subjection of the flames took 4S hours, and at the end the officers and engineers who took part in the battle were completely exhausted. The task was made more difficult by fumes from the burning cargo As the vessel had developed a heavy list through the water that had been pumped into her, it was necessary to anchor her near the beach in case she should capsize. A survey made at Sourabaya showed that 1,600 tons of cargo had been burned or badly damaged. In addition to this cargo loss, the fire caused a delay of 12 days, the trip to Auckland being resumed on May 8. When her Auckland cargo is discharged, the Sussex will go on to Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. A general average will have to be paid on New Zealand cargo.