EXPLOSION ON LAUNCH

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1932, Page 9

EXPLOSION ON LAUNCH

OWNER’S NARROW ESCAPE. BOAT COMPLETELY BURNED. Warkworth, Dec. 10. The 24-foot launch Beth, owned by Mr. C. H. Clarke, of Mahurangi Heads, was destroyed by fire when hauled up on the beach near the owner’s property. Mr. Clarke ran the launch on the beach to effect repairs to- the engine. He went aboard at about 11 o’clock this morning and on entering the engine room he struck a match. There was an. immediate explosion and the launch took fire from end to end. Mr. Clarke escaped serious injury, but his face and hands were blackened and his clothes damaged. As the boat was some distance from the water nothing Could be done to suppress the flames and the launch was completely destroyed, only the rud-. der, the engine and a piece of the keel' being left Mr. Clarke stated afterwards that he was of the opinion that there had been a leakage of benzine and the engine. room -had: been filled with highly inflammable fumes. The launch was fitted with a Kelvin engine of- 12-16 h.p. She was insured with Lloyd’s, but the amount was not available to-day. Mr. Clarke’s home is situated at Mahu- - rangi Heads on the north side of the harbour. He has no road access to WarkWorth and the loss of his launch has placed him in an awkward position.