FIRE ON A BARQUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 358, 7 March 1902, Page 2

FIRE ON A BARQUE.

NINE FIREMEN RENDERED INSENSIBLE.

By Telegraph.—Tress Association. ’Wellington, last night. The fire on the Jessie Osborne lasted all through the night, but was fully conquered by the brigade by 5.30 this morning. A number of firemen, however, are still standing by the vessel in ease of a renewal of the outbreak. Tiie Jessie Osborne is now low in the water, her forward part resting on the bottom. The lire started amongst the cargo in the foiehoid, and seems to have been confined to a space extending from the forepeak to about 15 packs abaft the hatchway of the foiehoid. The tow and wool, which were stowed together, are the principal goods affected by the tire, but

the water must have affected most of the rest of the cargo.

I.i lighting the lire the firemen showed the gieatest pluck and determination. They went into the hold in smoke jackets, air being pumped to them for respiration bv a hand pump. At least nine were rendered temporarily insensible, and some, including Captain Hugo, had to he taken home in cabs and medically attended. The vessel has eleven feet of water in her forward and ten feet aft.

The Jessio Osborne is an iron barque, owned by J. Irvine, of Liverpool, and was built 28 years ago. Her cargo consists of 3300 bales of wool, 400 bales of tow, and 100 tons of kauri gum. The insurance is estimated at about .£40,000. Tiie insurance companies are not yet able to state the distribution of risks. THE INSURANCES. [By Telegraph--Press Association.] Wellington, last night. Mr Scales, the charterer of the barque Jessie Osborn, which was on fire last night, holds an insurance lino of 417500 as agent for Lloyds. The other insurances arc : New Zealand £2300, Standard £I7OO, South British .£I7OO, Commercial Union 4:2000. He has also a direct line on wool from Wanganui, which may be still in transit, but if aboard will mean another 42000. Mr Scales estimates the damage at 124 per cent, all round, but another estimate by the underwriters places it at anything between 20 and 40 per cent. Tenders are being invited for renovating, reconditioning, and restoring the cargo to the wharf. The National Alliance, United, Victoria, Marine, and British and Foreign Companies are understood to have lines, but cannot state as to the amount, not knowing whether all cargo insured is aboard.