CANBERRA FIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1925, Page 3

CANBERRA FIRE.

STEWARD LOSES LIFE. [Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.] SYDNEY, June 30. The fire on tlie Canberra has been subdued. The damage is very severe, particularly amidships, where all decks were gutted. When the firemen penetrated the saloon they found the body of a steward, Reginald Craythorne, ol Melbourne, lie was apparently overcome and succumbed to the flames. Craythorne had been engaged in rescue work mid made several trips, currying semi-conscious passengers and stewardesses to safety. He was last seen returning aboard to make a lurMier search.

The Canberra was pumped full of water to subdue the flames and the vessel has now taken a dangerous list. ORIGIN A .MYSTERY. SYDNEY, Ju.no 30.

The origin of- the lire on tlio steamcr Caiiliorni is .so far a mystery, tt is reported that there were two separate outbreaks. There are rumours of possible i.nceiuliiarisin. Until the ])oliee> eonclml? their investigation*, however, the position is doubtful. The lire destroyed the cabins, saloons, smokeroonis and the crows quarters amidships, charring and blistering the outside plates. There arc indications the (ire started at the hack of the second-class din-

ing saloon. The Canberra, was recently thoroughly overhauled, and was practically a new ship. The damage is roughly estimated at over twenty thousand pounds |,ut its full extent will not he revealed, until a careful examination is )Kissihlo. The lire was discovered by the watchman early in the morning. 1' then had a good held. Some eighty passengers and crew were sleeping aboard. The stewards and stewardesses acted with great coolness and daring. Rushing about the ship amid choking smoke and flames, at danger to their own lives, they roused the sleepers, and all managed to escape, some in their night clothes only. A number lost all their belongings.. Two of the stewardesses remaining on duty till the last, had their retreat cut off. They were rescued by a ladder. It was Craythorne who brought the stewardesses and tv ladv passenger ashore. At the request of the lady passenger, lie returned aboard to secure some of her belongings, and while on this mission lie was overcome by the smoko. His body was later recovered in the music room.

Large quantities of water were pumped aboard, and gave the Canberra a. dangerous list. The water was later pumped out and tlio danger of hci capsizing was averted. Detectives [investigati.'ng the Canberra fire are greatly hampered by the conflicting stories of those aboard, who owing to tlie state of excitement they were in when roused, are unable to definitely* locate the starting place of the fire, but, although incendiarism is suspected, there is no evidence so far available.