FIRE AT SEA. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE S.S. MATATUA.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8166, 22 April 1895, Page 3

FIRE AT SEA. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE S.S. MATATUA.

Tho officers and crow of tho Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's steamer ' Matatua had a startling experience on the voyage from London to Port Chalmers. On 24th February, when ten days out, In latitude 19-58 N., longitude 17*43 VV., at 2 p.m., smoke was discovered coming out of No. 4 hatch and ventilators. The vessel was slowed down and all hands were mustered to firo stations, and on removing one of the hatchesdenso volum.es of pungont smoke emorged. Several attompta were made by the captain and some of his officers and men to go down the hatch, but all hud to bo pulled up again, and were in a suffocating condition on account of tho smoke, but not before flames were seen and a loud crackling no'ee heard. Aftor some time tho seat of the firo was ascertained, nnd wa f or directed thorooD, and after somo hard pumping the fife was extinguished, and tho ship put on her course, at full speed. It was found, on the scone of tho tire being reaohed, that it had originated iv the centre of some cases of oilskins which were plowed amongst a quantity of spirita, matches, and other inflammable goodq. TI)O burnt cases wero hoisted on dock, — •« ftlgo all the other ottakins in that bb iru.v * - l -««nU tho. jjj»me night one

on deck, though not on fire nt the time, was found in flames, bo the caso wna jettisoned. Hud tho firo not beon discovered when it whb, or lnd any time boon lost in taking measures for its suppression, tho spirits would undoubtedly have ignitod, find serious results might Imvo otisuod. — Post.