SHIP ON FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1926, Page 3

SHIP ON FIRE

OFF (MSBOKNK COAST. [UY TEL EG It A PH—PEII PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GISBORNE, Fi.'h. 21. The Public Work- Department at Whangarn, fifteen miles north ot Gisborne, reported at 9.30 a.in. that a. vessel was on tire about lourteen miles off the Coast. The Harbour Board’s tag is leaving immediately lor the scene. SHIP LOOKS TO BE BIG. TUG UNABLE TO LEAVE WHARF. LATER. Owing to the poor tide the tug Pelican. could not leave the wharf, so the Harbour Board despatched a launch. The school children from Whangarn. report that from a .hill-top smoke could he seen coining from all over the boat, which looks to he a big one, with a smaller vessel approaching the ship afire. SUPPOSED TO BE JAPANESE WARSHIP. GISBORNE. February 24. Tolaga Bay reports that a vessel twenty miles out. passed north, making considerable smoke. It is assumed to he the Japanese warship Iwate on route to Auckland Irom Wellington. The Harbour Board’s launch connected with the Awahou from. Tolaga and is now returning to port. EXPLANATION OF ALARM. LATER.

The steamer Awahou reports she passed a vessel believed to be the Japanese training ship Iwate going at high speed. The volume of smoke gave landsmen foundation for the tear of fire expressed.