TWO LIVES LOST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12347, 18 October 1909, Page 5

TWO LIVES LOST.

GREAT DAMAGE DONE

(United Press Association—Copyright ) MELBOURNE, October 16. , The steamer Surrey, from Sydney en route to London, reports that early on Thursday morning a fire was discovered in the lower starboard coal bunker.

The boatswain, Christiansen, and a ' seaman named Neilsori descended to ! !>>cate the outbreak, bat were overcome . by fumes. Tho chief officer and second ! engineer went to their assistance, but the latter was also overcome. The chief i officer repeated his efforts, and sue- i ceeded in reaching Christiansen and ; Neilson, but all efforts to- restore ani- i mation failed. The second engineer I afterwards regained consciousness. i

It was then thought that the fire was out, but, after the steamer had reached the wharf, smoke was noticed from No. 3 hold. The crew descended, out the smoke drove them back, aftei several had been overcome by fumes. The hatches were then battened down, holes cut in the deck, and water poured in, but the fire still gained ground. Eventually the fire brigades were summoned, and the outbreak got under control late last night. The steamer now lies with a strong list to port, apparently resting on a sand bank.

/ The extent of tho damage is unknown, but it must be serious. Tho cargo chiefly consists of Queensland frozen moat and rabbits, which will bo removed.