FIRE ON THE TAHITI

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2259, 5 April 1921, Page 2

FIRE ON THE TAHITI

RETURNS TO WELLINGTON. Wellington, April 4. A wireless message stated that •(here was a fire on the steamer Tahiti, which left Wellington on Saturday for San Francisco via the Islands. The Tahiti arrived back in Wellington at a.quarter to ten o'clock on Sunday night, with a tire in her No. 1 hold. She had left Wellington shortly after 4 p.m. oil Saturday, bound for San Francisco, via Island ports, with a large complement of passengers and cargo-* which comprised in the main woo!, llax, hides, tallow and general mn'l ehandisc. When the fire was discovered the passengers behaved excellently, and there was no sign of a panic. Those in the third-class were immediately removed from their quarters, and were situated aft, breakfasting in the saloon. Some of them had in the meantime secured lifebelts, and one of their number —a Chinaman — created a mild diversion by promenading the promenade deck in a life-saver. lie was taking no

chances. When the hatch was lifted it was impossible to locate the seat of the tire, as the whole trunkway of the hatch was filled with smoke. The fire-hose was used in an attempt to drown the fife, and the extinguisher was also pumping gas into the hold. The chief officer descended in a smoke jacket to the t’ween decks, and although he was unable to locate the fire, he lifted hatches leading to the orlop hatch, thus giving the gas from the machine more opportunity to penetrate to the lower part of the hold.

At 7.30 a.m. it became apparent that the water being poured below was having no effect, so it was decided to rely solely on the extinguisher. The hatches and ventilators were closed up, and the gas was pumped in frum then on. Shortly before eight o’clock it was decided to return to Wellington, and the course was altered accordingly. Meanwhile H.M.S. Chatham, bound from Wellington to Auckland, was spoken to by wireless, but no S.O.S. call was sent out. FIRE EXTINGUISHED. Wellington, Yesterday. The fire on fiie Tahiti was extinguished, and she will probably sail to-morrow, afternoon or evening. No damage was done to the vessel, but the cargo in No. 1 hold was seriously damaged. No estimate of the damage can yet be made.