FIRE ON HOARD SHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 198, 27 August 1870, Page 2

FIRE ON HOARD SHIP.

The ship Excelsior, lying at the Queen-strec-t wharf, was, about midnight last night, the scene of a fire, which, fortunately, was suppressed before it had made formidable headway. The smoke was first discovered issuing from the forehatch by William Legg, watchman en the Williams, who proceeded to make the firebell on the wharf ring out the signal. The captains and crews of the neighbouring vessels were speedily to the front, and mainly, by shutting off communication with the atmosphere, and by the use of the hose pouring water freely into the vessel from the hand-engines of the Mary Shepherd and Santon, and the donkeyengine of the Sydenham, the spread of the fire was arrested. Inspector Broham and the police did good service ; and Mr. Asher, superintendent of the City Fire Brigade, was present, but owing to confusion in the ringing of the firebelis, his staff did not appear in force. Fortunately, under the direction of the sea captains present, and the ready alacrity of the crews —who are always prepared for such emergencies as this—the services of the brigade were not required.