THE SARAH S. RIDGWAY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 7959, 30 October 1894, Page 3

THE SARAH S. RIDGWAY.

TUB LATE FIRE.

A NARROW ESCAPE

■Tub following particulars of the fire on board the American barque Sarah S.| Ridgway are from the Naoior News of the23rd instant:—"The fire was first discovered by the seaman on the night watch, whoob-erved smoke issuing from the hatches afi in 'he vicinity of tho sail locker. He immot'iat- ly rmm the ship's bell, and all hands turned out. By this time tho Suit bell was ringing loudly, and in a very short space of timo the brigade, under Superintend'-tii Lucas, arrived on the scone Dense ring's of smoke were belchitur from the ha ! el>"s, i and it was discovered that 'he main wA of the lire was aft, to the cabin. Thfiremen wr-nt to work with a will, ; u- J : soon nil the appliances at 'h'-i;' command wore in full play, five jets being con-' neeted with the high pressure main, and another from the manual It was knowt* that the major portion of tho cargo consisted of koroseue, shipped for the local warehouse. As the firo was ragini.' in the midst of this consignment aft, an explosion was feared. At a quarter-past five things were looking very serious, and it was thounht advisablo to send to town for the stenmor. The Napier station was rung up, and as most of the firemen were on their way down, and others were iu readiness, in about 15 minutes the steamer was in full play, with two extra jets. After about an horn's incessant work the outbreak was subdued. It was then discovered how near tho escape had been. The kerosene tins wore in wooden boxes, and it could be seen that iu some cases the tops of these wooden coverings were burnt through to the tin casing, and the whole of tho consignment in tho aft hatch were charred and burned. There can be no doubt that but for the timely efforts of the local brigade?, one of the worst disasters in the history of the port would have been recorded. Wo are inforcod that, had the outbreak taken p'ace earlier, the men would have been smothered j» m \ r bunks, as the dense Smoke penetrated the cabins id volumes. ' Aa it was, it was near the hour for turning out, and this operation was effected very smartly. Theldamage to the vessel was not so much as was at first anticipated, as, owing to the character of her cargo, the water used in extinguishing tho flames did not effect much injury. It was estimated that about four feet of water was lying in the hold when tho brigades bad finished their work. ..'the barqu'o's men were busily engaged at the pumps during the day. No cause ean be assigned as to how the fire originated, but it is supposed to have started in the sail lockers. Most of the ship's sails were destroyed. The vessel was not insured. The only insurances on consignments of cargo were as follows:—British and Foreign Insurance Compav, £525; Canton, £390; Alliance, £200; National, £425. The cargo is cosigned to tho following:—Robjohns and Co, Ellison and Dnncau, Davidson and Irvine, Henry Williams and Sons, J. Watorworth, J. Hardy, Williams end Kottle, and Murray, Roberts and Co.