SHIP ON FIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3159, 22 September 1892, Page 2

SHIP ON FIRE.

(BY TKI.BeBAPH. —OWN COHRKSPONUKST). Auckland, Las» Night. A jibe broke out on board the ship Timaru in the harbour. It ia supposed to have originated through oil from the oilroom penetrating to the carbon of thn refrigerator, and causing spontaneous combustion. The tire caused considerable excitement and was fought with difficulty, owing to the trouble in finding out ice exact seat. The tire was not subdued until after several hours' hard work by the ship'n crew and a party from the steamer Rangatira. The lire broke ont in the charcoal insulated compartment above the frozen ment hold under the flooring of the oil room on the main deck and was discovered by the cook, who pave the alarm. On raising the hatches, a dense volume of smoke issued and i 6 was found the fire had dropped down from the insulator to a quantity of cement stored in casks at the bottom of the ship. The flre ienited the casks and burnt about 500 casks. Water was freely poured on the burning mass by the donkey-engine, aided by buckets and the fire was quenched about 8 o'clock.

Capt. l-'ullerton states that tha fumes from the charcoal burning were suffocating, and he required to wear a respirator before examining the seat of the fire. The damage of somo decking and portions of the charcoal compartment burnt, and about 500 casks of cement destroyed by tire and water. The cement was nn hoard on the ship's account siuco the vessel arrived here fr.iin London last April.

The Timaru is one of the Shaw, Saville and Albion Company's refrigerating vessel.", and had been lying in the harbour awiutins; the opening of the frozen meat season, whnii she goes South to load fur London. The damage to the ship is slight, »nd will soon bo repaired.