CATASTROPHE ON BOARD THE S.S. MANAPOURI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5554, 27 February 1886, Page 3

CATASTROPHE ON BOARD THE S.S. MANAPOURI.

Fatal Results. Death of the Chief Officer. [Peb Pbbbb Association.] J WELLINGTON, Fkb. 2G. | The s.e. Manapouri arrived at Gisborne from Auckland at half-past one, and signals wer. made for a doctor. On the launch going off, it was found that a terrible accident had occurred. The vessel left Auckland at 1.15 yesterday; at. three the ■ hatches were taken off to get a parcel in • the hold for a lady passenger. On the removal of tho hatch smoke issued in large volumes, and from the smell it was known to be the smoke of some acid. Morris, the chief •ffi_er,and someother men wentbelowtoget the package beforo the fire communicated with tlie other cargo. Unfortunately it ; took some time to get at the packages the men being compelled to breathe poisonous air for a long period. Some time after the package waß got out, the men became insensible, foaming at the mouth. A ' doctor was on boardi and he did all he could till arrival. Before Dr Pollen, of Gisborne, could get aboard, the chief •fficer died. The third mate (Mr Cook) was brought ashore and taken to a hotel. He is not expected to recover. Five men were taken to the local hospital, and they I are doing well. Some other men were on board, who received less injuries. The accident) caused little commotion on board, J the vessel continuing on her way without interruption. Mr Booth, the • E.M., went out to hold an in- i e-uest, but decided to hold it when : the vessel reached Napier. It i 3 most » fortunate the fire was discovered iv the •lay time, as if it had remained till j darkness set in, the consequences would have been disastrous. The vessel leaves for Napier at nine. The weather down -was extremely fine. There is little damage to cargo, though some water was poured down. The cause of the disaster was a small package of nitric or sulphuric acid, shipped at Sydney for Christchurch, and the distinctive mark of the contents is insufficiently prominent, the mark being simply the word "acid." Snch cargo is usually carried on deck, or just nnder the «ombings of the hatchway. The third -•fficer, Mr Cook, ia sinking fast. The doctor says he cannot last ont the night The rest are doing well. The second and fourth officers are uninjured. [In all probability the acid was the nitric, so well known in connection with the manufacture of gun-cotton. We believe that thiß acid iB known to chemists as a somewhat unstable compound, and as liable to explode spontaneously. Ib is a tremendously powerful corrosive, and the fumes are simply poiaonouß.j