FIRE ON THE SHIP MARY SHEPHERD.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 479, 24 July 1871, Page 2

FIRE ON THE SHIP MARY SHEPHERD.

Early yesterday morning a firo broke out on board the ship Mary Shepherd, which was berthed "alongside the Sandridge Railway Pier. This fine vessel only arrived in port - yesterday week from London, and had a large cargo of general merchandise, which is only partially discharged. That portion -which was stowed in the lower hold was not touched, and consists principally of railway mutoiul, ironmongers' ware, cement, tar, pitch, earthen■ware, malt, brandy, and salt—the latter consisting of about 100 tons. This of course will bo totally lost by the submersion consequent on the vessel being scuttled. The firo was first observed about half-past 3 o'clock by the watchman on board, who saw smoke issuing from the cabin. Ho immediately gave the alarm, by calling the captain and all hands. A boat was sent to the Nelson an J to the Harbour Department for assistance, which was speedily rendered. Amongst (ho first to arrive at the vessel were Captain Duran, the assistant harbour-matter; Mr. Rose, of the Customs ; the water police; Mr. Boyd, chief officer of the ship Essex; Cuptain Gray, of the ship Loch Lomond; Captain Vino, the railway company's pier-master j Captain Payne, chief harbour-master ; and Mr. iikler, superintendent of the marine yard, but when the two latter gentlemen arrived at the vessel she had been scuttled on one side. Those who first arrived at the ship were ablo to lend great assistance, and the carpenter of the Essex proved himself of much service, and deserves great praise, as lie, with tire assistance of tho csrponter of the burning ship, unshackled tho chains, and with the scuttling gear which Captain Doran brought with him sunk the vessel. Captain Payne, on his arrival, ordered her to be scuttled on the other side also, which was accordingly done. Ab she now lies she has the appearance of a vessel being very heavily laden, the only strange look about her being that she is so de«p in th« water. It can in no way be ascertained as yet in_what way the fire originated, but the general opinion is that it commenced in the lower hold, otherwise the upper work of the ship must have been destroyed ; and what strengthens this opinion is, that no ilamc-s were to be soen, only an immense body of smoke, previous to tho hatches being placed on. Captain Gray, of the Loch Lomond, managed to secure the chronometers, charts, &c, from tho captain's cabin. About 6 , o'clock rockets were fired, which were mistaken at Williams town aa being let off from the steamship Somersetshire, which was on the point of sailing. The steam tug Sophia towed tho ship from tho pier to t.he place where she is now lying scuttled in about four fathoms of water, at a distance of about five or six cables' length from the Sandridgo town pier. There still remain in tho vessel about 700 tons of cargo in tho lower hold, the cargo ■which was 'tween decks having been taken out It is believed Hint ILo vessel is partially insured, but Captain Croot h not certain of the fact. It is expected that the vessel will bo raised in a few days. It is fortunate that there was little or no wind at the time, or far more serious damage might have been caused. The Mary Shepherd is a full-r:gged ship, belonging to Messrs, John Lodgett and Son, of London, and is ne&dr 13 years old, having two years to run on herVdrat letter. She was builfcat Sunderland.ancTyis of 905 lout bur-

The large clipper ship Mary Shepherd, which was on fire last Sunday morning, and was scuttled and sunk in the bay, was yesterday once more taken alongside the railway pier, Sandridge, to discharge the remainder of her cargo. Thus fur, the ship has been more fortunate than other vessels which have been on fire in Hobscm's Bay, in not only escaping utter destruction, but also in being speedily got afloat again, and in these respects she stands almost alone in the record of local maritime disasters. The contract for raising her was taken by Mr. Frank Bobbins, stevedore, and the work has been diligently carried out, so much so that early yesterday morning the large body of water inside was materially diminished, and yesterday afternoon she was towed to her old berth. CapCroot is deserving of all credit for the prompt steps taken by him to have his snip ngain afloat and the balance of her cargo taken out. Argus; July 8.