FIRE ON BOARD THE MANAPOURI.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1253, 5 March 1886, Page 3

FIRE ON BOARD THE MANAPOURI.

CAUSED BY COMBUSTION OP ACIDS. Gisborne, February 26. A very painful sensation was caused here this afternoon when it became known that there had been in some degree a repetition of the Wairarapa disaster on board the sister ship, the Manapouri, on her voyage from Auckland to the South, calling here. It was not known till some time after the vessel’s arrival that any serious consequences had heeu entailed—indeed there was no snch consequences np to the time of the steamer’s arrival.

The M&napourileft Auckland at 1.14 p.m. on Thursday, and about two hours later the fore hatch was removed to oblige a lady who had missed an article of luggage and wanted it found. As soon as the hatch was removed smoke issued from the op ning in large volumes, and from its pungency it was known to be the smoko of some chemical substance. Captain Logan at once ordered chief officer Morris to get a number of men to try to go below and get at the causebefore the fire was communicated to the other cargo. The men descended, but unfortunately the package had been put a long way back behind other cargo, and it took nearly an hour to get it out, the men all the time being compelled to breathe the poisonous fumes. The result was that after they had got the package out, and it had been put on deck, Mr Morris, the third mate (Mr Cook), and a number of seamen, who had breathed the poisoned air for a dangerously long period, became ill. However, it was not anticipated .that the effects would be anything more than temporary, as the men were able to get about, though continually coughing most violently ; the coughing shaking the whole of their bodies and causing much pain. Nearly all the hands were below more or less, because there was a very large quantity of cargo to remove, but those who were down only short periods came off easiest. It was several hours after they had removed the acid that the men were taken seriously ill and had to go to their beds. They afterwards became insensible, and foamed at the mouth, and had to be attended to all night. This morning a medical man among the passengers on board rendered what service was ‘.possible. As the vessel came up the bay at one o’clock they signalled for a doctor, and messengers were at once sent for Dr Pollen, the launch being sent off to the vesseel with the agent pending the doctor’s arrival. As soon as the launch went alongside the cause was stated, and she returned instantly for the doctor, who was then waiting on the wharf. By the time Dr Pollen arrived at the steamer, about 2 p.m., Chief-mate Morris had just breathed his last, not having recovered consciousness. He had been delirious at intervals before his death, and during his delirium kept making exclamations about a funeral. A lady passenger and the officers and stewards were with him at the time of his death. The doctor found that four of the seamen were in such a state that he ordered their removal to the Gisborne Hospital, and ho ordered Third-mate Cook ashore. The latter was taken to the Masonic Hotel, and at this hour (7 p.m.) his life is despaired of, the lungs being full of blood. The men at the hospital are reported to be doing well. A number of other men are confined to their berths on board, but in their cases there is no danger. As soon as the news was brought ashore that Mr Morris was dead, Mr Booth, R.M., the district coroner, stopped a case he was hearing and went off with the police and officials to bold and inquest, ft was however, subs quently decided to hold the inquest at Napier, where the body will probably be buried.

The affair caused very little excitement on board, either amongst the ship’s people or the very large number ot psssengers—the ship being crowded. Everyone kept quite cool, and there was no commotion, the vessel continuing her way without interruption. Volumes of smoke issued from the hold till the acid was got out. hut it was known that the smoking material had not burst into flame, and that there was little or no danger of a serious fire. It was, however, most fortunate that the hatch hadbeen accidentally taken off, for if the fire had remained undiscovered till darkness had come on the consequences would have almost certainly been more disastrous than those in the case of the Wairarapa. It is not known whether the acid was sulphuric or nitric. It was a small case put on board at Sydney for Christchurch, and the mark to show what the package contained was not very prominent. Such cargo is usually carried on deck or just under the hatch, where the air can get at it. It is supposed to have been disturbed at Auckland by the shifting of the cargo. The names of the men at the hospital are not ascertainable. The ship-’s carpenter is ill, but not seriously. As a little water was {lumped dawn the hold some of the cargo is said to be injured, but the damage Is believed to be not very serious. The vessel is being delayed here an hour or two later than she otherwise would be, but goes at 7 p.m. to Napier, leaving here those who were brought ashore. The passengers speak in tho highest terms of the conduct of the officers and crew. The weather was extremely fine all the way down, so that there were the best possible circumstances for dealing with the difficulty. Later.

Mr Cook is sinking fast. Tho doctor states that he cannot last out the night. Thereat are'doing well. The second and fourth officers are uninjured. Gisborne, February 27. K. G. Lloyd, aged 25, one of the men at the hospital, died at a late hour last night. He was one of tho A.B.’s. The others are doing fairly well. Mr Loker (not Cook, as previously telegraphed), the third officer, is still living; but tho doctors hold out no hopes of his recovery, At about eleven o’clock last night seven more men, suffering from the effects of tho accident were brought ashore. The names and ages of tho men injured are as follows Charles C. A. Loker (third officer), Edward King (14), Richard Jackson (33), Sydney

.Stringer (2s), G. Peterson (24), J. T. Anderson (26), D Richardson (27), 0. Petersen (27), J"hn (.’ratty (24), A. W. Lambert (30), J. Allen (18). 'Che doctors expect that all but the third mate will survive the injuries they have received, ■ March Ist. .Mr Loiter, the third officer, took a turn for the better, and strong hopes of his reoctvery were entertainedbut yesterday afternoon he underwent a relapse, spasms again set in, and after suffering greatly for some hours he died at midnight. All the men at the hospital are reported to be doing well At the inquest on the body of Mr Loker, third officer, a verdict of “Died through inhaling acid fumes,” was returned.