Fire on Board Ship.

Manawatu Herald, 24 September 1892, Page 3

Fire on Board Ship.

A fire was discovered at 5 o'clocV on Wednesday morning on tbe Shaw Savill and Albion Company's ship Timaru, in the stream at Auckland, but was subdued after several hours' bard work by the ship's crew and a party from the steamer Eangitira. The fire broke out in the charcoal insulated compartment above the frozen meat hold, under the flooring of the oil-room on the main deck. It is believed to have been due to spontaneous combustion of oil and obarooal. The discovery was made by the cook, who gave the alarm. On opening up the hatches a dense volume volume of smoke issned from the hold. It was found that fire dropped down from the insulator to a quantity of cement stored in casks in the bottom of the ship. The fire ignited the casks and burned about 500 of them. Water was freely poured on the burning mass by the donkey engine and a portable engine, aided by buckets. Captain Fullarton , the matter, states that the fumes from the burning charcoal were suffocating, and he required to wear a respirator before examining the seat of the fire. The damage consists of some decking, being burnt, portions of the charcoal compartment being con sumed, and about 600 casks of cement being destroyed by fire and water. The damage to the ship is slight, and will soon be repaired. — Pi-ess Association.