FIRE AT SEA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5281, 11 June 1895, Page 2

FIRE AT SEA.

A SHIP DESTROYED.

[Special to Press Absocia.tion.l MELBOURNE, June 10.

Particulars have been received of the destruction by fire at eea of the ship Salaette, 1614 tons, which left London on March 11 for Melbourne. Fire waa digcovered in the lower hold on the morning of April 17, and spread with great rapidity. Several of the crew were overcome in attempting to reach the seat of the out* break. Tho cargo included a quantity of gunpowder, but with great difficulty thia was brought up and thrown overboard. Portions of the decka became ao hot that it was impossible to stand on thorn, so the boats were got out and provisioned and used as a refuge for the officers and crew, relays going aboard to fight the flamee. The men worked vigorously all through tho day and night, bat the fire gained steadily, and on tho afternoon of April 18 the flameß burst through the decks in several plaoes. Shortly afterwards the ship Miltiades, bound to Port Pirle, hove in sight and picked up Captain Panton and the crew, who were preparing to start in boats for the nearest land, about fit teon hundred miles distant. When abandoned at nightfall; the Salselte was one mass of flames, and when sighted next day, her maats had gone, but the hull was still burning fiercely. Her hull being constructed of iron, it iB believed that she would hold together for a long time, and form a serious menace to shipping. The Miltiades landed the officers and crow at Capetown.