LOSS OF THE WAITOTARA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1917, Page 5

LOSS OF THE WAITOTARA.

TXESCKIPTIOiN OiP THE SWmSJSi OAiKtO;,VALUED AT OVER £2SO,QM!j *■' Austra-lian-N.Z. Cable Association, Received July 3, 1.45 p.m# Sydney, July 2. Caiptain Richie and the officers an£ crew of the Waitotara hava arrived. The captain refused to make a. abatement pending the inquiry. Members of the crew believe the fir* broke out amongst the copra caTgo. When the first alarm was givßn, all hands turned out and made desperate efforts to save the ship, but without) avail. The vessel was. stopped and slewed round to prevent the trade Iwinds fanning the flames through the ship. This cheeked the fire for a brief period. When the fire spread towards the cargo of 57,000 cases of benzine it was realised' the Waitotara was doomed. Wireless calls were sent out and orders passed to abandon the ship. Fortunately ths weather was fine, although a Jong swell made the launching of the four boats difficult. The captain's boat was the last to leave. The boats were well pro* visioned, and were able to stand off the (burning ship until a French steamer arrived. Meanwhile the Waitotara was swept fore and aft by flames, reaching, upwards for hundreds of feet. The sea> was turned into a perfect floatmg vol-i cano. 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. It included printing paper and motor cars, mostly, fox Australia.