S.S. Manapouri.

Manawatu Herald, 20 September 1902, Page 2

S.S. Manapouri.

SERIOUS FIRE.

The steamer Manapouri brought a large cargo of island produce', including ii,Boo bags of copra. After discharg* ing a good portion of the produce at ~.: the Margaret-street wharf she pro*' , - ceeded to Wooloomooloo Bay to tranship the remainder oi the copra. It }# supposed about 300 tons, to -the German steamer Darmstadt, on the outside of which she moored. Discharging, with the assistance of the electric light, proceeded till 7.30 /p.tn., when the men working in No. a hold noticed flames on top of some bags of copra that were being sent up.' The alarm was given and an attempt made to extinguish the fire, but it spread with 1 ■ great rapidity. Fire brigades were quickly on the scene. When they arrived flames were leaping up the gangway. Hose was carried across the Darmstadt, and font engines began ' ‘ pouring in water. They succeeded in driving the fire below. It is now con- - fined to the (ore and main holds, where the bulk of the copra was stored. Dense volumnes of smoke are pouring - out of the hatches, and prevent attempts to get at the seat of the -fire.' At a lata hour four steamers were still at work. The Manapouri has a very heavy list to port Despite the targe quantity of water aboard it is apparent v that the fire has a good hold. The smoke is unabated, but no fire f is visible. The Harbor Trust steam - v tug is standing by in readiness to tow '*• the steamer into the harbor if: necessary.

Manftpouri's list is so heavy that There are «ome fears that she may capsize. No explanation is given as to the cause of the outbreak. Reinforced by the fire brigades’ monster engines and lines of hose from the German and other steamers, an immense quantity of water was poured into the Manapourl. The vessel then gradually righted, and as the bold filled, the fire, which is chiefly confined to the starboard side of the main hold was quenched. All danger was over by two o’clock. She now lies on an Almost even keel. There is twenty fqot of water in the main hold and two feet of water in the main saloonIt Is estimated that 200 tons of copra were destroyed, while the planking between the decks and thirty or forty feet of decking from the main hatch have been badly damaged. The outbreak was very difficult to fight, owing to the great heat and dense pungent smoke from the copra. The fire was first attacked from the eagineroom, but the firemen were driven back and several attempts to get below proved futile. A fireman slipped on the deck and severely injured his back. It is impossible to ascertain the damage done to the vessel until a survey is made.