S.S. OPIHI AFIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1926, Page 1

S.S. OPIHI AFIRE.

[by TELEQRAFn—TER PRESS ASSOCIATION..!

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 11

A fire on the Opilii was discovered

about 8 a.m. when the vessel was off Cape Egmont. At full speed she made for port, and on arrival the vessel was berthed at Moturoa, wharf, and the lire brigade were called. The hatches w.er lifted, and emergency gangs were put on to discharge the cargo of 900 tons of general cargo. Whitish smoke and a smell of roasted potatoes came from the hold, apparently between hatches two and three, on the starboard side. About 1 o’clock flames were seen issuing from some timber. The Eire Brigade turned the hose on and subdued them. The work of discharging is proceeding interruptedly, but D actual seat of the fire has not yet been reached. Apparently the fire originated in some Dunedin cargo, which included matches. LOSS NOT GREAT.

The Fire broke out on the steamer Opilii when about an hour and a half’s steaming time from New Plymouth ibis morning, and she arrived off port at 9.0 a.m. with smoko issuing freely from Number Two hold. Fearing that the port authorities had decided not, to berth her, owing to the unusually rough weather prevailing, Capt. Fish signalled at once : “Fire in hold,” and the vessel came alongsde Motorua wharf. Immediately water from the wharf mains was poured into her at once by the ship’s officers, crew and watorsiders, the Fire Brigade supplementing their efforts later. Throughout the afternoon special gangs toiled assiduously unloading smouldering cargo, hoses being used at the same time. By 8.30 to-night the fire had been completely subdued, and all the dam-

aged cargo removed. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. It was fiiwt attributed to the lime cargo at the bottom of the hold, but this „was afterwards disproved. The Opilii had 1000 tons of southern general cargo for New Plymouth, and 320 tons for Nelson. Only 100 tons of the New Plymouth cargo was burnt or damaged and 200 tons of Nelson cargo in holds other than Number Two was not damaged, and the ship was not affected by the fire. The men had a. strenuousj time during the unloading. Immediately the hatches were lifted dense clouds of smoke emerged, which made unloading extremely difficult. At times, almost obscured by smoke, the workers soon disposed of the topmost portion of the cargo, which consisted chiefly of machinery, piping and lime. With the use of the l)oses, up came dec:, volumes of steam, which made matters more uncomfortable. The steam was gradually dispelled, exposing dilapidated sacks of flour, bran and wheat, many of which had hurst open. Shortly after i o’clock much <if the burnt cargo was revealed. Soon men were toiling in masses of bi-fin, Hour, wheat and roasted potatoes. Articles of furniture weuo hoisted up and stowed in trucks, among a disordered array of sacks. By seven o’clock little smoke issued forth, and by that time it was necessary to shovel Hie cargo into baskets, each basket- being saturated with a mixture of salt, flour and lime.

At 7.3!) the workers were at the seat of the (ire, and the operations ceased soon after.