FIRE ON THE MARIPOSA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2619, 25 April 1889, Page 2

FIRE ON THE MARIPOSA.

BY TELEGRAPH— OWN COIWESI'DNDKNT. | Auckland, List Night. The mail stbainer Mariposa, which left here for 'Frisco on Monday last, voturned to port at 4 o'clock this morning, in consequence of the discovery that fire had broken out among a shipment of 250 tons of flax in the fore-hold. Captain Hayvvard resolvod to make the attempt to smother the fire, therefore had the hatches closely battened down, and turned tlio steam pipe on. This having been done holes wore cut in the deck and the hose brought into play again, and at midnight yesterday all danger was at an end, and smoke ceased to come up. Meantime Captain Hayward decided to return to Auckland. The Mariposa was then distant from Auckland about 220 miles. Captain Heywar 1 says both passengers and crew behaved admirably, and there never was anything approaching a panic on board. Many passengers volunteered their services, but were not required. The crew laboured energetically in the intense heat and smoke. Some were s" persistent in their efforts that they were almost suffocated. A German seaman who volunteered to go down the hatchway and put out the fire when the hatches were first removed, lie was almost suffocated, and after he was brought on deck, he was two hours in coming round. The officers worked arduously, and ably seconded the eff'Tts of the captain, and chief officer Hart, at one time was almost overcome by the volumes of smoke, in which he worked. The extent of the damage to the cm-go of flax has not yet been fully ascertained. The hold of the vessel, being iron, was uninjured, the damage was confined to the cargo of Hax which was shipped Viy a Wellington firm. The greater part is already unloaded ; some bales are considerably injured by the fire. No other eargo beside the flax is injured either by fire or water. The mails ulso are safe. The Mariposa resumes her voyage to-night.