THE FIRE ON THE WAIRARAPA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1418, 14 November 1885, Page 3

THE FIRE ON THE WAIRARAPA.

An enquiry into the circumstances attending the fire on board the s.s. Wairanpa was held at Dunedin on Thursday morning before Mr B. M. Carew, R.M., and Admiral Scott, Nautical Assessor. Mr Denniston appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Union Steamship Company, and Mr Sim for Captain Rowan, of Melbourne, a passenger. Captain Chatfield, the master, gave evidence as to the fire being reported to him about 4.30 s.m. on the Ist inst., and as to bis taking measures for its suppression. The fire hose was attached to the pumps, and a gang of men were also employed with buckets. He gave order* that the vessel should go at full speed to Gisborne, and when she arrived the passengers were landed with the gold and mails. The crew were left fighting the fire, and it was got under by nine o’clock. The usual watches were kept on deck, and one of the stewards kept night watch on the saloon deck. Wm. Giigsby was on watch at the time of the fire. The first steam pump was on about two minutes after the fire was discovered, and the deck service was working fire minutes aftei wards. Tee regulations for subduing fires were carried out to the letter. The man who kept watch in the saloon went on at 11 p.m. and came off at 5 a.m. There were seven boats on the ship, one of which was being taken up to Gisborne. Three were life-boats with a carrying capacity of thirtythree, and the cu'ter would carry the same number. The gig would carry eighteen and the other boats twenty-five. There were ninety-seven passengers and a crew of sixty four. The steering gear was affected by the action of the fire. The boats were got ready and swung out in five minutes. Chemical hand grenades were used, but produced ro effect as there was no proper access to the fire. Duncan Downie, the chief officer, said fire and boat drill was gone through a week previous to the fire. The passengers were roused quietly, and not by the bell, as there were a number of ladies on board. John Dunlop, the second steward, gave evidence that his cabin was about two yards from the locker in winch the fire commenced. Ho supposed that (he fire originated by the lamp in the boot room exploding. He had never seen a lamp of the bind explode. William Grigsby, “ boots,” deposed that he went on duty at 11 p.m. He was told to visit an invalid lady during the night. Lit the lamp in the boot room, and al-o a hand lamp which he used while gathering up the boots. At 3 a.m. he visited the invalid and went to the chief steward’s cabin. Before leaving the boot room he turned down the light. He left his hand lump in the alleyway, and went to the smoking room to clean it out. This was about 10 minutes to 4. While cleaning out the smoking room, about a quarler-past 4, he heard two ladies screaming “ fire.” He went down the port side and got within six yards of the alley-way but he could not get any further, as the flames were shooting out of the alley-way, and the heat was intense. He gave the alarm and went up to get the hose ready, The lamp in the bont room was fixed in the bulkhead, and he did not shift it. He had trimmed the lamp the previous morning, and filled it with kerosene. The boot room was very hot, being next the engine room. In his opinion the fire originated in the boot room. E. Rabbi's, the Chief Steward, and Edgworth, the look-out man gave corroborative evidence. The enquiry then adjourned till Thursday, when evidence of damage will be given.