HARBOUR SENSATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2653, 27 December 1915, Page 6

HARBOUR SENSATION

" MOTOR-LAUNCH ON FIRE

A HURRIED ESCAPE

A fine little 35ft. launch, known as the llapier, was practically destroyed by fire in the harbour at about i p.m. yesterday. She was the fastest cralt in. Port Nicholson, having <i speed or somo 15 knots. Three'years ago she was built, and Messrs! B. White and H. A. V. Pierard were her owners. , For some time previous to' the mishap tho Rapier had attracted considerable attention round the waterfront on ■ account of the speed at which she was travelling and the skilful manner m which she was being handled in the basin between Clyde Quay harf and Jervois Quay. All appeared to be going well, when suddenly a sheet or flame shot up from tlic launch about amidships It could be seen that strenuous efforts were being made by those on board to suppress the outbreak. The Rapier was stopped about a couple of hundred yards from the Taranaki Street, Wharf, and presently that portion of ths reclaimed dock site between Clyde Quay and Taranaki Street was lined ffitli people. It peared as if the occupants of the buruing launch would be caught, when suddenly they were observed to get over the side of the doomed vessel and into the water. ' Some of the crew of the 'steamer Monowai witnessed the _ misnap, and with commendable promptitude manned and lowered tho emergency boat and made all haste to the rescue. A pleasure boat from the Star Boating Club was quickly on the scene, and tlio steamer Squall's oil surf-boat was also handy. A rescue, was effected, but meantime the Rapier was ablaze from stem to stern. AVithin a very few minutes the harbour tug Pilot and the Government steamer Janie' Scddon were to be seen coming across the harbour at full : 6peed. Pumps were set going, and very soon both steamers were P®nr~ ing in a good volume of water. The fire was' overcome, but not before the launch was gutted and "burnt in places to. the waters edge. ■ •. The occupants of the Rapier were Mr. White, Superintendent Tait, of the City Fire' Brigade/and a friend of Mr. White's. They were none the worse for

rheir experiences. . From what could be gathered later, t appears tliat tlie fir© was caused t)y i failure of the carburettor, which lack-firecl.. At.first, .endeavours were nade to suppress the flames with can■as and old clothes, but the fire spread o the petrol tank, and when the petrol gnited it was seen, that further atempts by the occupants of the launch rould be useless. . The Rapier.was not nsured. Provided the engine is not lamaged bevond repair, Mr. White esimates his'loss at considerably over ;ioo. ■ - \