OIL SHIP ABLAZE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1930, Page 7

OIL SHIP ABLAZE

SENSATIONAL SCENES. (Australian Press Association) NEWCASTLE, Feb. 24. The niodeni oil tanker “British Honor,” with a cargo. ot four thoushand tons of oil, caught fire in Newcastle 1 Harbour to-clay. Serious explosions J occurred. 'Hie forecastle was blown I away. The bridge and expensive nautical instruments were wrecked. Four members of the crew were injured. This fine vessel, which Is commanded by Captain Collie, suffered extensive damage, but it is believed that her hull is intact. The firemen did wonderful service under difficult, hazardous conditions. The cause of the fire has been traced to a small outbreak at a waterside timber yard, the flames from which set fire to the oil that was spilt on the water and the flames quickly travelled to the tanker. A great crowd watched columns o dense black smoke rising from the “British Honor,” and when the explosions occurred, flinging debris in all directions, the spectators became panicky. They tripped and fell in their frenzy to reach safe points of vantage. The police kept the people away from the huge storage tanks of the Commonwealth Oil Refinery Company, which were in the danger zone. The injured members of the crew wore removed by ambulance to the hospital, mostly with wounds they received when falling and rushing away from the vessel, FLAMES 100 FEET HIGH. SYDNEY, Feb. 24. During the oil tanker fire, Captain Collie remained on the bridge until he saw the crew safely on the wharf. 'I he forecastle beame a mass of flames, wliih leapt one hundred feet skyward. One of the masts was alight right to the top. Then there came a succession of dull, but louder explosions, , resembling a broadside from a’ ■•battleship. The wharf caught fire, and"sheds were destroyed or damaged. i Squatting .011 a sandy beach’, nearby were the members of the crqwy.with blackened faces, intently 'witfehing 1 their ship gradually reduced Hoffuins. All were thankful that the fire .had not occurred at sea. They spokeyfreely of their hurried manner ofTbscape. A strange incident occurred, .-when the fire began. A youth waV,-.swim-ming the racehorse Roseland' nearby, and the flames'oh the water enveloped the animal. Its eyes were burnt' out. and it bad to be destroyed. . Itp : owner, Mr W. Barley, only on Saturday refused an offer of £SOO for the horse. < FIRE DAMAGE.

' NEWCASTLE, Feb. 24. ' A fire aboard the British Honour, .not Honor as cabled, subsided' this afternoon, fortunately before it reached the oil tanks. The damage is estimated in the neighbourhood of £30,000 sterling.