A STEAMER ON FIRE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11741, 19 September 1902, Page 5

A STEAMER ON FIRE.

Received September 19, 0.15 a.m. SYDNEY, September 18. The Manapouri is afire,, and the outbreak threatens to be serious. She arrived from Fiji to-day,, and is transhipping her cargo at Wooloomoolioo Bay. The fire started to-night. R-ceived Sepfcembefr 19, 0.22 a.m. SYDNEY, .September 18. The Manapouri brought a large cargo of Island produce, including 11,800 bags of copra. After discharging a good portion of the produce at the Margaret Street Wharf, she proceeded to Woolooinooloo Bay to tranship the remainder of the copra, supposed to be about 300 tons), to the German steamer Darmstadt, on the outside of which she is moored.

Discharging, with the aid of the electric light, proceeded till 7.30, when the men working in No. 2 hold noticed flames' on' top of some bags of copra being sent up.' An alarm was given, and an attempt made' to extinguish the fire, but it spread with great rapidity. The fire brigades were quickly on the scene, and when they arrived the flames were leaping up the gangway. Carrying the hose across the Darmstadt, four engines began pouring in, water, and succeeded in driving the fire below. It is now confined to the fore and main holds, where the bulk of the copra is stored. • Dense volumes of smoke are pouring out of the hatches, and prevent attempts) to get at the seat of the fire. At a late hour the four steamers were still at work. The Manapouri has a very heavy list to port. Despite the large/quantity of water put aboard, it appeal's that the fire has a good laid." ■- ;:^" ■■.-.'. ■.- ■; j Th!e smoke isi unabated, but no fire is visible,'.'' .... v" ' ■ ■....•' ■._.-- .-• The Harbour Trust steam tug islanding by in readiness to tow her into the harbour ■if'necessary. The list is so heavy that there are some fears that she may capsize. No explanation is given as to the cause' of the outbreak. .