GENERAL CABLES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 3 July 1917, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES

RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN AMERICA TWENTY DROWNED. Received 5.50. VANOUVER, July 2. An electric observation car on the American side of Niagara Falls became derailed on Sunday, and rolled into the river, twenty being drowned. THE LOST WAITOTARA. HUGE CARGO OF BENZINE.' SYDNEY, July 2. Captain Richie and the officers and crew of the Waitotara have arrived. The captain refused to make a statement pending the enquiry. Members of the crew believe that the fire broke out amongst the copra cargo. When the first alarm was given, all hands turned out, but a desperate effort to save the ship Was without avail. The vessel Avas stopped and slewed round to prevent the trade winds fanning the flames through the ship. This chocked the fire for a brief period. When the fire spread towards the cargo of 57,000 cases of benzine, it was realised that the Waitotara was doomed. Wireless calls were sent out and orders passed to abandon the ship. Fortunately the weather was fine, although the long swell made the launching of the four boats difficult. The captain's boat was the last to leave. The boats were well provisioned and able to stand off the burning ship until a French .steamer arrived. Meanwhile the Waitotara was swept fore and aft, •with flames reaching hundreds of feet high. The seas were turned into a perfect floating volcano, and it was a wonderful sight during the night. The castaways spent thirty hours in the boats before assistance arrived.

The cargo was valued at over a quarter of a million, and included pointing paper and motor cars, mostly for Australia.