Red-hot Decks

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 February 1914, Page 4

Red-hot Decks

| Yet another fire story comes from the London steamer Sowell, a story of fire and a ' wonderful feat of the crew. When midway across the Atlantic fire was discovered in the forward hold of th(j Sowell, in which was a cargo worth £200,000. The fire burst, out through the ventilators, and rendered the metal deck hot that the steel plates twisted and buckled. There was no help for the Sowell; the men had to fight out the trouble unaided. To make matters worse for them a great gale was blowing, and" at the most critical moment the gale smashed the steering gear, so that the ship foundered helpless in the trough of the waves. But thinsrs were ordered as methodically ns if the ship had been in port. Half the crew were told off in repair the steering apparatus, fluother half to battle with the flames The second was the worst part. First the holds were fastened down and the blazing' ventilators tightly closed, and then the men were called upon to .walk upon the red-hot plates of the deck, and calmly drill and punch holes in them, so that water and steam might be forced into the burning hold. Again and again they were beaten back with feet , and legs, hand and arms, blistcral and burnt. But they succeeded in the end.

They pierced their holes in the glowing metal deck; they pumped in water and forced in steam. They pumped in water in such volumes that it caused the ship to lean dangerously to one side, but the water saved the vessel, and the Sowell staggered on through the gale to Halifax, where with her decks still glowing hot, but with her cargo partly saved and her crew scorched and weary, she proudly entered into port.