HAVERSHAM GRANGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1938, 21 November 1906, Page 2

HAVERSHAM GRANGE.

DETAILS OF THE FIEE,

PRESS ASSOCIATION

Auckland, last night. The Shaw, Saviil steamor Matatua arrived from London this morning. At 6-15 a.m. on the 23rd ult. thick smoke was seen issuing from a vessel, bearing nearly right ahead. Getting closer, it wa-i discovered the vessel was on fire about the after end of. the bridge deck, in the locality of No 4 hatchway. Tho vessel proved to he the Haversham Grange, bound from New York to Australian ports. The steamer Elax was standing by. The Matatua stopped a couple of miles to windward and signalled, asking if the steamer wanted assistance. She was answered with a request to come within hailing distance. A boat from the Matatua was sent alongside in charge of the chief officer, who returned with a message that the captain wished the Matatua to stand by her. The Matatua complied. As the day advanced the fire had apparently to some extent subsided at the after bridge deck and No. 4 hatchway, but caught No. 5. hold, and afterwards No. 5.

At 4 p.m. boats came alongside the Matatua with part of the crew, and a request from the captain that the men be taken on boatd for the night. This was complied with. At G p.m. the captain and remainder of the crew were taken on board, the captain stating he only wished to stay alongside for shelter, as he was hopeful the fire would expand itself aft, and leave the forward end of the steamer and cargo intact. The Hatatua stood by all night. Daylight next morning disclosed the fact that the fire had , spread forward to Nos. 3to 2 hatches. Huge flames were issuing from the former, and dense smoke from the latter. All hope of saving any part of the cargo or vessel was abandoned. A boat was sent to do what was possible to scuttle the burning steamer, as she was dangerous to navigation. The Matatua called at Capetown and landed the rescued crew of 62 souls, being the ship’s complete company. On leaving the Haversham Grange she was one huge mass of smoke and flames throughout her whole length.

A THRILLING TALE

SHIP ABANDONED NONE TOO SOON.

PRESS ASSOCIATION

Auckland, last night, A member of the orew of the Matatua, ia teferring to the fire on the Haversham Grange, said: “ As soon as we got in touch ’’ with the buraieg steamer wo found out ’* that a fire had been discovered somewhere s in alter hold, and at the first go off a lot ’ of the crew and ficem.n had taken a , deadly fuok, and were worse than useless. These fellows were Belgians and other j foreign chape, and just ran about yelling and k'ckiDg up so much rxoitemeni Ihst J the ekippar reckoned the best thing to do with them was to sling overboatd same of tno boats and drop thrm in them. This w,is don ~ arid ,hcti the remainder of the cruw g >« going to battle wnh the fiimes. Tboy mU-s h ive hud u red-hot time (rom tho jump, for when we came op with them ■he heat of the fira was so great in tbe after part that they couldn’t stand on the deok?, ' You see, abo was loaded with kerosene, rceiu, and tuipentine, and when it g it fairly going, it roared about below decks like blueblazte. As the morniDg went on we could Bee that the fire wsb growing stronger, and spreading, but the skipper of the burning vessel seemed to think that he had a goud chanoe still. As soon, however, as the firo got forward of the engines the crew saw the game □p, and signalloi us to take them on boatd. No sooner did they leave her than the whole ship seemed to burst out like a big fumaoo from stem to stern. It was a great sight, but a terrible one. All her poris were Bpoutiog flame, while the roar and racket of fire, with oil and other stuff all alight, sounded to us just like a gale comirg aloDg ”