FIRE ON LINER TAHITI

Hokitika Guardian, 4 April 1921, Page 3

FIRE ON LINER TAHITI

(BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION' ]

WELLINGTON, April 3.

A wireless message states a fire lias broken out on the steamer Tahiti. She only left Wellington yesterday for ’Frisco, via. the Islands. Tbe ferry steamer Waliine and the tug Terawliiti have been ordered to stand by, ns it is intended to send these vessels to the rescue.

’ Later wireless messages from the | Tahiti state that tho tiro is being held in check, and that there is no occasion for any steamers to leave Wellington. The Tahiti does not want any assistance. . The Union Company have received information that the fire is confined to No 1 hold, which contains wool and flax for America, and general cargo for the Islands. The Tahiti turned back at seven o’clock .this morning. She is expected to arrive here at ten to-night. BACK AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, April 4. The Tahiti reached Wellington at ten o’clock last night and berthed at Taranaki street wharf on an even keel, wit’ 1 nothing to indicate anything was wrong. The fire apparently started in the flax cargo. It is notable that this was the first, time tbe ship carried flax. Work was immediately began to get the cargo out of the hold and ascertain the extent of the damage. TV ship is apparently uninjured. The passengers remained calm throughout their trying experience. PARTICULARS OF OUTBREAK. WELLINGTON, April J. Captain Edwin states that smoke was observed at 5.30 on Sunday morning, coming from the ventilator on the forecastle head, leading from No 1 hold. Arrangements were made to bring the' Clayton extinguisher into action and part, of the cover was lifted from the (after end of No 1 hatch. A heavy volume of light brown smoke came up as the hose was placed down tbe hold, and the gas pumped in from the Clayton machine. The Chief Officer, Mr McDonald went down into the hold but was unable to locate the fiixg but lie opened up the top of the hatch giving the gas a better chance to do its work. At 7.30, as the water did not seem to he making any impression, it was decided to rely solely upon the extinguisher. The hatches and ventilators wore accordingly closed and gas j pumped into the hold. At 7.45 it was decided to return to Wellington. At 5 pm. tho fire was still smouldering hut apparently under control. The ship was about 200 miles from Wellington when the lire was discovered. The weather was fine and the passengers behaved splendidly. T.io third classers were removed from luieir quarters, which were near the hold, j wherein the fire was burning, as the | smoke became overpowering. The usual precautions were taken regarding boat 1 stations for passengers. Plenty of as- [ sistance was available, if required, as the warship Chatham was within easy j distance at 11 a.m., but her help was j not required, though it was prof erred.