FIRE ON STEAMER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 908, 27 February 1930, Page 11

FIRE ON STEAMER

BURNING VESSEL MAKES PORT CREW’S LOSING BATTLE United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 11 a.m. PERTH, Today. With number three bunker ablaze the freighter Ningchow reached Bunbury, where the vessel was berthed. The members of the crew were playing hoses on the affected quarter and the ship had a bad list to port. Lifeboats were ready for launching last night as the fire seemed to be getting an increasing hold. The crew stated that the fire had been burning since Monday. Some members were treated for the effects of gas and explosions. Two explosions occurred after the ship had berthed. The fire brigade is pumping water into the holds. The first intimation was received in a wireless message from the Blue Funnel cargo steamer stating that the vessel was on fire. Her position was then given as 100 miles from the coast of Western Australia. A tug was sent to the assistance of the Ningchow'. The cargo on the burning vessel is mostly wool, which w r as loaded at Sydney for Liverpool. The Nipgchow is a twin-screw steamer of 9,029 tons. She was built in 1902 by D. and W. Henderson and Co., Limited, at Glasgow-. The owners are the China Mutual Steam Navigation Company, Limited (Blue Funnel Line), and the vessel’s port of registry is Liverpool.