FIRE ON SCHOONER.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19140, 25 October 1927, Page 15

FIRE ON SCHOONER.

HUANUI'S NARROW ESCAPE. [THE FSBSS Spui&l Serriee.] AUCKLAND, October '2i. An outbreak of fire which might have had serious consequences occurred on the auxiliary schooner ■ Huanui at King's wharf. However, the ■ ilames were quickly subdued and the only damage done was the destruction of the galley and the burning of part of the foresail. The outbreak, which occurred shortly before seven o'clock this morning, was caused by heat from the galley stove setting fire to the woodwork. The blazing galley was seen by J. Clarke, who jumped on board the Huanui and aroused the crew, who were asleep in their bunks. With the aid of the schooner's auxiliary pump the crew kept the flames under control until the arrival of the city fire brigade, which extinguished the fire. The save effected was fortunate because the schooner's hold contained over 1000 cases of benzine, which she had brought from Wellington. The galley is only about 4ft from the hatches over the hold. Had the blaze spread to the canvas covering of the hold the result might have been disastrous. The Huanui reached Auckland from Wellington via Gisborne on Sunday. She is a wooden vessel of 144 tons and was built at Auckland in 1910. She carries a crew of eight all told. The owners arc Messrs Clare and Clare, of Gisborne.