THE ORMONDE FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 22455, 28 September 1936, Page 10

THE ORMONDE FIRE

PASSENGER'S ACCOUNT OF EXPERIENCE WARM TRIBUTE TO CREW AND STEWARDS (Per Uniied Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 28. A vivid account of passengers’ experiences on the Orient liner Ormonde when the fire broke out in No. 4 hatch on September 23 while the ship was between Melbourne and Sydney, was given this morning by Mrs H. Irisher, who arrived by the Awatea. “1 cannot speak too highly of the work of the officers, crew, and stewards during the trying ordeal,” she said. “ They were heroes all, and should be given medals. At no time was there any panic, and the officers /and stewards did everything possible 'for the 320 passengers, the majority of whom were women and children.” “ The first indications the passengers had of a mishap was when the Ormonde suddenly reduced speed and shut off her engines. Everyone rushed on deck to see what had occurred. Smoke was observed issuing from the ventilators and other parts of the ship. The fears of the passengers wqre considerably allayed by the officers, who said the fire had occurred in one of the hold, but there was no great danger. Everyone, however, was ordered to don a lifebelt and stand by the boat stations and the boats were suspended over the side. “The ‘most trying experience was for those of us who had little children, but the stewards were wonderful,” said Mrs Fisher. “My little girl was terrified when a lifebelt was fastened round her, but the steward, busy as he was, had a little talk with her, and the child went on deck with me quite happy, making sure she took her doll.” Mrs Fisher said she and many passengers kept their lifebelts on all night and didn’t sleep a wink. The forward saloons were extensively damaged, and looked as though an earthquake had occurred. The tire was got under control, and the Ormonde, which put into Twofold Bay in the event of an emergency requiring the landing of passengers, later proceeded to Sydney. The majority .of the New Zealand-bound passengers joined the Maunganui for Wellington.