THE INDRADEVI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 72, 4 July 1910, Page 5

THE INDRADEVI.

THE ENQUIRY COMMENCED. By Telegraph —Press Association. Auckland, July 2. A nautical court, consisting oif Mr. Brown and Captain W. J. Reed, opened the inquiry into the cause of the fire oh the steamer Indradevi on June 22. Mr. Wetherill, surveyor, expressed'the opinion that the fire originated 'tween decks forward on the starboard side, j Captain Wilkie stated that the Indradevi commenced discharging cargo o:i : the morning of June 21 from Nos. 1 ! and 4 holds. There was no sign of I fire at 11 p.m. Ganger in No. 1~ hold | 'tween decks was not touched that day. I The 'tween decks were completely full I of cargo, and there was no chance of | a man getting in or out except by way of the door in the 'bulkhead dividing the forecastle from the main :!eck. The chief officer was responsible for the key of the door, which was secured on I the night of the Are. The insulation ' consisted of ten inches of charcoal enclosed in two inches of white pine boards. Electric lights only were used in discharging the cargo. The current was supplied by cable from a dynamo in i such a position that it could not come, 'in contact with cargo. There were no wires to cause fusion. The chiei officer gave the alarm at 1.30 on the ! morning of the 22nd. Smoke was | issuing from No. 1 hold. It appeared to witness that the seat of the fire | was the insulation.' below the main deck. ' The smoke was more of the nature of choking fumes. I THE SOUTHERN CARGO. [ Dimedin, Saturday. At a meeting of the Chamber of C'oirimerce, consignees of the cargo of the Indradevi resolved to-day to urge the Minister, of Marine to authorise the steamer to come south. It is stated that the action of the Government surveyor in objecting is contrary to the advice of the underwriters' surveyor and the offiieers of the steamer. The ' detention will result in serious loss to the consignees.