Accident on board the Manapouri.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1646, 27 February 1886, Page 4

Accident on board the Manapouri.

CHIEF MATE SUFFOCATED. THIRD OFFICER DYING'. . FIVE MEN SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. (her united press association.) . . (tlSßorne, Friday. The' Manapouri arrived from Auckland at half-past one, and signals were made for a doctor. On the launch going off, it was found that a terrible accident had occurred. The vessel left Auckland at 1.15 yesterday. At three o'clock the hatches were taken off to get a parcel in the hold for. a lady passenger. On the removal of the hatches, smoke issued in a large volume and flames. The smell was known to be from the smoke of some acid. Mr Morris, the chief officer^ and some other men went below to get the package before the fire communicated with the other cargo. Unfortunately, it took some time to get at the packages, the men .being compelled to . breathe poisonous air for a long period. Some time after the package was got, the men became insensible, foaming afc'the mouth. A doctor was' oh board and did all he could till the arrival of the vessel. ; Before Dr Pollen, of Gisborne, could get on board, the chief officer was dead. The third mate, Mr Cook, was bi ought ashere, and taken to an hotel. He is not expected to recover. Five men were taken to the local hospital, and are all doing well. The ether men on board received less injuries. The accident caused little commotion on board, the vessel continuing her way without interruption. Mr Booth, Resident Magistrate, went out to hold an inquiry but afterwards decided to hold it when the vessel reached Napier. It was most fortunate that the fire was discovered in the day, as if it had remained till darkness set in the consequences would have been disastrous. The cause of the disaster > was a small package of nitric or sulphuric acid shipped at Sydney for Cliristcllurch. The distinctive mark of the nature of its contents was insufficiently prominent, the mark being simply the word •' Acid." • Such cargo is usually carried on deck, or just under the combing of the hatchway. .:.'.. Later, ..^ Napier, Saturday. At a meeting of passengers of the Manapouri held last night resolutions were passed testifying to the efficient arid successful efforts of the captain and officers of the steamer to remove the, cause of the accident, and the deep re- . gret at the death of the officer who so nobly sacrificed his life in the heroic discharge of his duty; a letter of condolence is to be sent to Mrs Morris. A subscription in aid ot the officer and men, and those dependent on them, who have suffered by the accident, was opened and £50 was subscribed among the saloon passengers. Latest. One of the men at the Hospital named R. G. Loj'd, nged 25, died late last night. He was a seaman. The others are doing fairly well, Mr Laker, third officer, not Cook as previously telegraphed, is still living, but tho doctors hold out no hopes. At about 11 last night seven other men were brought ashore.