The Fire on the Barque Castor.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 12 November 1891, Page 2

The Fire on the Barque Castor.

The fire on the Castor at Napier was discovered by the stewardess at 8 o'clock on Sunday night, and oil the alarm signals being sent up a, steamer was sent out. On ascertaining that the ship was on fire the steamer returned and took out the Spit manual engine. The town brigade's steam engine also got ready, but it was thought that the -pit en* gine would be sufficient, so the steamer did not go out. However, about 7 this morning the town engine was called for, and had subdued the fire by noon. She is still out there, but the curricle engine from the North British Freezing Works has been sent out with a fresh gang of firemen, and will remain all night, the steamer returning to shore, The after part of the ship is pretty well ; burned out. The fire was praotically confined to the lazarette and saloon, little damage being done to the cargo except by water. The c<fese is quite unknown, as no one had^been in the lazarette. All the ship's sails, with the exception of a few left on the spars, and all the stores were destroyed. The saloon flooring was burned, and the fittings wrecked. The damage will probably be £1500, in addition to the £500 aareed upon by the captain to cover all claims for salvage, use of fire engines, &c. The Castor is a new barque of 2060 tons register, belonging to the Dundee "hipping Company, her master, Captain Crowdace, being one of the principal shareholders. She is under

charter to the New Zealand Shipping Company." All her cargo on board, principally Consisting of 8000 bales of wool, wis have to be put ashore. The rigging i 3 uninjured, and probably the Castor will go to another port to be refitted in the saloon. — Press Association.