THE INDRADEVI FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 64, 24 June 1910, Page 5

THE INDRADEVI FIRE.

FLAMES SUBDUED. DAMAGE NEARLY £50,000. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The fire having been subdued, it now remained to get the water out of the hold, in itself no mean task, an added difficulty being the fact that a considerable quantity of water had got into No. 2 hold through the bulkheads separating the two having weakened. At 7 o'clock this morning the Harbor Board's pump was put into operation on No. 1 hold, and after twelve severe hours' work the hold was practically dry, 2000 tons of water having been pumped out. There is still a considerable quantity of water in No. 2 hold, and pumping will be continued all night. Much of the cargo, which is in a damaged condition, is being landed, but until the greater bulk of it is shifted it is impossible to find the seat of the outbreak. ■ i i -■■:

The damage to the ship is considerable, the insulation being damaged beyond repair. At a very moderate estimate it will cost over £20,000 to instal a new insulator, whilst the damage to the cargo will run into something like £15,000. The insurances over the vessel are not yet available.

The Indradevi is a representative of the Tyser Line, and is owned by Mr. T. R. Royden, proprietor of the Indra Line, Liverpool, one of, the three concerns amalgamated under the name of Tyser Line. She is a steel screw-steamer, 5683 tons gross and 3702 tons net register. She was built in 1900 by Sir J. Laing and Sons, Ltd.,-Sunderland, and is classed 100A1 at Lloyds. Her principal dimensions are: Length, 420 ft; breadth, 53ft; depth, 29ft. Part of her cargo space is insulated for the carriage of frozen meat, and she is lighted throughout by electricity'. . She is a regular visitor at New Zealand .ports. Captain W. H. Wilts,! who is in command of the Indradevi, was previously , engaged in the New York-Japan service of the Indra Line. This is his first trip in the Indradevi, his predecessor being Captain A. Hollingsworth, who remained in England to take charge of the Indralema when Captain Trotter transfers to the new steamer Indrabarah.