FIRE ON A BARQUE.

Star (Christchurch), 6 February 1903, Page 3

FIRE ON A BARQUE.

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. Ab three o'clock this morning a fire was discovered in the hold of the barque Machrihanish, berthed at the Railway Wharf, and loading wool and other cargo for Lon'don. The vessel, which has been awaiiting cargo since last November, is under charter to Mr G. H. Scales. The fire was extinguished after two and a half hours' fighting. Tito Machrihanish was under charter to the New Zealand Shipping Company, and had nearly completed loading. When the brigade arrived the fire seemed to have a good hold, but closer investigation showed that the flames came from a heap of sails on top of some bales of wool. These were" hauled out, and before long all danger had been averted. It is expected that it will be necessary to discharge about 400 bale* of wool, damaged chiefly by water, but the amount of the damage has not yet been ascertained. The cause of the fire is not known, but incendiarism is suspected. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. It is strongly suspected that the outbreak of fire on the barque Macihrihanish early this morning was due to incendiarism. The fire originated among a quantity of sails. The damage is estimated at £70. Captain Bendaill, the marine surveyor, states 'that no damage has been done to the structural part of the vessel. Aboub 400 bales of wool were more or less damaged by water, and will have to be discharged. Another twenty bales were charred by fire. The vessel wanted another 1000 bales to complete her loading for London, and would have been ready for sea in a week's time. She has been here since the beginning of November. The principal shippers Were the Bank of New Zealand, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Compafiy, Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co., Messrs Levin and Co. and Messrs Johnston and Go. "