DRAMA OF THE SEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 12, 16 January 1939, Page 8

DRAMA OF THE SEA

IFIRE IN LINER’S HOLD HOW IT WAS SUBDUED TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR FIGHT BY OFFICERS AND CREW * RIMUTAKA ARRIVES AT AUCKLAND [ Pei Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Jan. 14. With the foredeck piled with burnt and damaged cargo, the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Rimutaka berthed at 8 a.m., ending a voyage marked by the sensational outbreak of fire which endangered the ship for nearly two days. The story told by those aboard was remarkable for lack of sensationalism than other features. Because the fire, which reached serious proportions, was confined etirely to • the hold and fought from the enclosed space of one cabin, passengers saw little other than volumes of steam. Behind this, however, is a story of orderly heroism by the officers and I crew. Captain C. B. Lamb remained on the bridge for more than 24 hours. The chief officer, Mr. R. L. Warren, and the second officer, Mr. J. Trotter, descended into the burning hold and led an heroic fight against the fire. Passengers at Violin Recital While passengers were in one of the lounges listening to an impromptu violin recital by Mr. Maurice , Clare, late of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, officers and members of the crew were fighting a grim battle from a passenger’s cabin on C deck, immediately above the burning hold. Through a hole bored in the steel floor they were pouring carbon dioxide from cylinders and also jets of steam. So intense was the heat in the cabin that the paint from the walls and floor melted. Fire-fighters worked on for nearly 24 hours, and, on one occasion, were in serious danger when a steam hose brooke loose from the hole in the floor and thrashed about the cabin its 1801 b pressure of steam. A Narrow Escape "We got out from there in a hurry,” said Chief Officer Warren. "The second engineer, Mr. H. Duckworth. received a crack in the back from the hose, but, luckily for him. he did not get any steam. It was a I very narrow escape for him.” From Sunday at 2.30 p.m. until Monday at 3 p.m. the commander, Captain Lamb, remained on the bridge. No. S.O.S. was sent out from the ship, but, in response to a request, the American tramp Yomachichi cames to the Rimutaka’s assistance and stood by for some hours. The fire was first observed when smoke was seen by the officer of the watch, Mr. Trotter, coming from the Samsno post ventilators on the foredeck. At the same time Mr. Fenton, ; a town councillor of Dundee, who | occupied a cabin on C deck, observed ; smoke coming from a ventilator leading from the hold and heard the crackling of flames. The captain was informed and steps were taken to locate the fire. Ihe top of number three hatch was lifted and Mr. Warren, and later Mr. Trotter, were lowered into the hold. So dense was the smoke that they could not see .more than a few feet, but, eventually, saw flames arising as the air from the hatchway penetrated. Rumours I were current that Mr. Trotter had been overcome by smoke, as he was lifted out of the hatchway, but the fact was that he was knocked on the head as he was being drawn up, and was temporarily dazed. Spontaneous Combustion Telling the story of the fire to-day, Chief Officer Warren said that it originated in some bales of woollen goods in number three hold on the upper 'tween deck. It was undoubtedly spontaneous combustion that was responsible. In that hold also were number of manufactured articles ! that could not be identified, bales of pulp paper, paint, linseed oil and cased motor-cars. That no further I damage was caused was due to the fact that the fire was discovered soon 'after it originated. Every day preI cautions were taken to see that I everything was all right in the holds. I The temperatures of the holds were i taken daily. On Sunday morning the temperature in number three hold was normal. The fire could not then have been burning. Holes were bored in the floor of Mr. Fenton’s cabin and a 24-hour fight ensued. Passengers remained largely unaware of the extent of the blaze, but knew part of the ship was on fire, were absolutely calm throughout. By Tuesday all danger was past. Passengers Praise Officers and Crew Admiration of the splendid handling of a dangerous situation by the captain, officers and crew was expressed last night when a testimonial, signed by every passenger, was presented to Captain Lamb by Vice-Admiral F. A. ■ Sommerville. a passenger from England. i