STEAMER ON FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 402, 29 April 1902, Page 3

STEAMER ON FIRE.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Now Plymouth, last night. The new steamer Mokau, owned by tho Taranaki Collieries, Ltd., was seriously damaged by fire at Mokau on Sunday. The Mokau was fully laden with coal, and was lying at the Heads awaiting the tide. The fire was discovered at 4.30 on Sunday morning. Captain Jonas was on tho deck at 4 o’clock, and noticed nothing wrong. Half-an-hour later- the cook was awakened by tho heat, and discovered a fire, which appeared to have started in the wooden bunkers. He called all hands, who fought desperately, but. could not subdue the flames. About 6.30 their efforts resulted in checking and finally extinguishing the fire. Tho deck houses and wheel wero practically destroyed, and the flames rose up to the masts so high as to destroy the sails. The vessel is supposed to be insured in the Sydney office of the Alliance Company. The crew lost all their offects. Temporary repairs will be effected, and tho boat will then be sent to dock.