THE LOSS OF THE WAITOTARA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3126, 3 July 1917, Page 5

THE LOSS OF THE WAITOTARA

, HOW THE CREW FOUGHT THE FIRE HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE CARGO (Eec. July 3, liO a.m.) Sydney, July 2. • Captain Bitchie and the Officers and crew of the Wiaitotara x hare arrived. Captain Eitchie refused to make a state-j ment, pending the inquiry. Membersi of the crew believe that the fire, broke, out amongst the copra cargo. When.; the first alarm -was given all hands were; turned out, and desperate efforts were| inade to save the ship, without avail.: The vessel was stopped, and slewed round, to prevent the trade winds from! fanning the flames through the ship.' This checked the fire for a brief period. . When the fire spread towards tha cargo of 57,000 cases of benzine it was realised the Waitotara was- doomed, and| wireless calls were sent out. Orders were\ rsed to abandon the ship. Fortnnatethe weather kept fine, although the long swell made the launching of the four boats difficult. ' '■~■. The captain's boat was the last to leave. The boats were well provisioned and were able to stand off the burning ship until a French steamer amved..| Meanwhile the Waitotara was 6wept fore, and aft by the flames, which Teached to hundrods of feet from the sea, turn-l ing into a perfect floating volcano. It; was a wonderful sight during .the night.j The castaways had passed .thirty hours ( in the boats before the assistance arrived. The cargo was valued at over a| quarter of a million, and included prink; ing paper and motor-cars, mostly fof| Australia.—Press Assn.