Third Edition.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12000, 18 October 1906, Page 7

Third Edition.

..A. UNION LINER OV FIRE. ♦ 'i — Narrow Escape of tht TaraWera Part of the Cargo Destroyed. A Passenger's Narrative. (Per United Picas Association). AUCKLAND, October 18. A ratber serious oiitbrea- of fire occurred on the Tarawera on her voyage from Gieborno. Mr ii;igh, a pjr.scnger by the Tainwcrn, stales that he was awakened shortly before midnight by a steward coining to his cabin and telling him to dres* as there had been an outbieak of fire. lie perceived an odour as of chemicals burning. He occupied a deck cabins As he stepped out, he saw dense smoke rising from the hatches, the saloon companion, and apparently every opening from below. Other passengers were coming on deck. Some of the crew were engaged swinging the boats out ready for loweung, while others were combatting the fire, the seat of which ap. feared to be under the saloon, about amidships. The hatch had been lifted, and hoses were pointed below, while, in spite of the dense smoke, men descended. "What struck mo forcibly," he said, "wae the entire absence of anything approaching a panic or extreme nervousness on the pait of the passengers, though a fair proportion of women and children were on board. The situation to a landsman's eye appeared grave. The ship had been stopped to avoid increasing the draught, and even th« officers regarded the position as very serious indeed, but the tire was eventually suppressed." It is understood the cargo was considerably damaged. Later. The Tarawera's officers state that about two hundred tons of cargo are affected, all in the alter hatch. The file wns extinguished by hand grenades and by the hcee pumping" five feet of water into the hold. The origin of the fire is a mystery. The vessel's hull i 3 undamaged, but the deck is slightly damaged.