FIRE ON S.S. SUSSEX

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1929, Page 6

FIRE ON S.S. SUSSEX

N.Z. CARGO DAMAGE. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 27. The steamer Sussex, on which a fire occurred at Java on April 2(jth. arrived here to-day. About sixteen hundred tons of cargo in tile Number Four and Number Five holds was burned, or badly damaged. Number Four hold, in which the lire was actually located, had to ho flooded with the assistance- of a firclloat at Samarang, and the water leaked through into Number Five hold, which also became filled with water. The task of lighting the fire occupied about forty-eight hours, and the officers anil engineers were completely exhausted, their work being made more strenuous because of there being only a few white people at Samarang, and assistance having to bo obtained from natives. The amount of water in the holds caused the vessel to develop a heavy list, and she had to lie anchored in shallow water, near the head), in case she should capsize. The water was sulxsequeiitly pumped out and the cargo from Numbers Four and Five holds was discharged at Somabay a,. After unloading a quantity of cargo for Auckland, the Sussex is to sail for Wellington. Lyttc'ton and Dunedin tomorrow to complete tlie discharge. A general average will have to ho paid nil lhe cargo brought to New Zealand, but the amount of the general average has not been declared.