The Ship Mount Stewart on Fire.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7928, 8 October 1904, Page 3

The Ship Mount Stewart on Fire.

(By, Electric Telegraph— CopyrigEt). (Per Press Association).

SYDNEY. October 7.

The fire on the Mount Stewart continues to~gain steadjly. There was danger of it spreadw gto Par bury's wharf, where the ship was lying. She was therefore towed to Berry's Bay and beached, and now lies with her bow. almost under water, still burning. Several steamers continue pouring in water. The fire was discovered in; tho main hold and spread forward. It is believed that all the cargo forward of the main-mast has been destroyed. -The ship is badly damaged and her plates buckled. The cargo included 300 drums of oil: Numbers of these burst through -the. heat; rendering the work of subduing the fire extremely difficult.

There were altogether 5000 drums of oil abonrd, besides large consignments of paint, chemicals, whisky, and other spirits. The vessel lies on a sandy bottom with her stern well out:of water. Though the seatof the'.fire:isto a great extent submerged, the burning". oil and spirits floating on the water are still blazing fiercely, threatening the after part, and interfering with the firemen approaching at close quarters.

The Mount Stewart-has filled and settled down. The fire, which is now extinguished, did not; spread : to .-the hinder part of thei vessel.'"' " The "Mount Stewart was insured, for £18,000,. and her cargo for between £45,000 and £50,000.