FIRE ON THE TURAKINA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8941, 5 October 1907, Page 2

FIRE ON THE TURAKINA.

The Official Report

Per Press Association. Wellington, October 4.

The following is the official report on the fire made by Captain Forbes: On Sunday, 29th September, the ship being about 550 miles from the Chatham Islands and 1000 miles Irom Wellington, smoke was seen issuing from No. 1 hold. The hatch was closed and all ventilation with the hold was closed. The Clayton fire' extinguishing machine was then started into the hold, and the ship’s course was set for Wellington, and to pass close to the Chathan Islands. By the continuous working of the Clayton machine and a constant flow of water on the hatch combings and deck, the fire was prevented from spreading. The boats were provisioned and made ready for immediate use, and all possible speed was made for Wellington. Unfortunately ! strong winds were experienced, culmi--1 nating in a heavy gale and high sea on the night of ■ October 2nd. _ The signal station was communicated with at 10.30, and the Turakina was bortuod at the Queen’s Wharf at noon.

Some Further Details. (Own Correspondent.) The fore part of the ship is now aground with an amount of water being pumped in by a fire engine and a tug alongside. The water is within three feet of the dock, but heavy clouds of thick black smoke are issuing from the two front hatches. The warship Challenger is playing searchlights on the steamer to assist the operations. It was a marvellous piece of seamanship to keep such a fire under and to be able to return to port. The barrels have now been removed, but the loss will bo serious and the damage considerable. The crew and officers are worn out. A Previous Fire. Press Association A fire broke out on the Turakina on September 27tb, 1905, while she was lying alongside the Glasgow wharf _at Wellington. The outbreak was extinguished by the chemical engine. The cargo at that time consisted of wool, flax, and other Now Zealand produce, intended for London. On discharging the cargo it was found that that the lira originated in some flax and wool shipped at the Bluff. About 00 bales of wool and flax were damaged on that occasion, and the Collector of Customs found that the bales were on five in No. 4 .bold. “As to the cause,” be said, ” I cannot venture an opinion, unless I ascribe it to spontaneous combustion of tbo flax ov wool.”

The Insurance. ■' The figures are not in New Zealand, even the head office does not know them,” was the answer to a question put at the New Zealand Shipping Company’s office regarding the insurances on the hull of the Turakina. “ The steamer is covered, but the amount is not available yet.” Explicit information concerning the insurances on the cargo in No. 1 hold was not procurable this afternoon. Salvage Operations This afternoon several of the crew with smoko helmets on went down into the crew’s quarters adjacent to the hold where the fire originated. Tho smoke was not dense, but it was very pungent and air had to be pumped to the men. A lot of pergonal effects of the crew were brought up and nothing appeared to be burned. Superintendent Hugo, or the lire Brigade, made preparations tor dealing with the fire when the hatches were taken off. Tho Terawhiti, the salvage tug of the Union Co., was put into commission, working her largo eight-inch pumps. Punts were towed alongside to receive the damaged cargo and lorries were drawn up alongside the wharf for a similar purpose. The hatches were taken off at 3 o’clock and it was found that they were charred underneath, especially on the port side. Bales of flax, singed all round but not burned through, were got up. They were stowed up to the combings. Several leads of hose were kept playing into tho hold while tho unloading ■was going on.

A long message from Wellington indicated' that strenuous efforts were being put forward in the endeavor to extinguish the fire. Tho hold was being flooded by the Union Coy’s fire boat and tug Terawhiti at tho rate of over 900 tons of water an hour. Tho efforts of the men were not unattended with danger and one, who, more venturesome than the rest, was loaning far over the combings directing a hose on tho flames* nearly lost his life. At eight o’clock the stcanier settled on the bottom, as the continuous eflorts of the pumps had depressed her forward to such an extent that.she was touching the mud in 31 foot of water. The position was very serious at midnight, but the efforts of the firemen were continuing with unabated vigor. October 5.

Tlio work of emptying the forehold of the Turakiua is proceeding. It is a difficult undertaking, calling for much skill, and is not entirely free from risk. The whole of the meat cargo has been spoilt and it is doubtful if the butter is in saleable condition. These two items alone represent £85,000. The flax, wool and kauri gum are also damaged. Superintendent Hugo, of the City Fire Brigade, describes the outbreak as the-most obstinate and difficult fire he has ever had to deal with. The hold was flooded to the combings and the water burst into the refrigerating chamber, flooding it to the deck and escaping through the portholes or any other outlet. The whole of the machinery was covered but is untouched by fire. The scone on the deck of the steamer to-day is deplorable. The deck on tire starboard side has buckled _ up and grey patches on bull show where the fire lias been liercest, The damage to the ship herself is extensive, and it will probably be at least one moutn before she resumes her voyage.