SHIP ON FIRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1204, 5 February 1914, Page 3

SHIP ON FIRE.

THE MOA DESTROYED. Wanganui, Feb. 3. The steamer Moa, bound for Wanganui from Wellington, is afire in the roadstead, five miles from the entrance. She is ablaze from stem to stern. Eater. The Arapawa arrived at the wharf at 11.45 with the survivors from the Moa, one of firemen, named Kennedy, was killed. It appears he was sitting on a hatch in the starn of the vessel when suddenly an explosion occurred, killing him instantly. In an incredibly short space of time the vessel was ablaze from stem to stern, the flames leaping from the ports and funnel. The crew were unable to launch the boats, which were instantly wrapped in flames. They threw life-buoys and bits of wood overboard, and then jumped into the sea. Meanwhile the Arapawa, which had been lying about a mile away, was rushing to her assistance, but could not approach within 100 yards of the burning vessel, owing to the terrific heat and the fact that the Arapawa herself was loaded with over 4000 cases of benzine and kerosene, which made that vessel’s position anything but safe, even at that distance. Boats were lowered from the Arapawa, and fortunately all the men were picked up. So suddenly did the survivors have to leave the doomed vessel that it was impossible to attempt to recover the body of their unfortunate comrade. As it was, there could have been no hope for those aboard the Moa had the Arapawa not been handy. One fireman was rather badly burned, but the others escaped unhurt.