THE TAHITI.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1921, Page 5

THE TAHITI.

DETAILS OF THE DAMAGE. VESSEL TO SAIL TO-DAY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Tahiti’s hatch to-night is almost empty. Thirty dumps of flax were destroyed of the total of sixty in the hold, twenty bales of wool were destroyed by fire, half of the 500 bales in the hold were damaged by water, and a hundred bags of grass seed were damaged by water. All dry bales will be re-shipped. No structural damage has been caused, and the vessel will sail at three o clock to-morrow afternoon. FIRE EXTINGUISHED. NO DAMAGE TO STEAMER. Wellington, April 4. The Tahiti reached Wellington at ten o’clock last night, and was berthed at the Taranaki Street wharf. She was on an even keel, and nothing indicated that anything was wrong. The fire apparently started in the flax cargo. It is notable that this is the first time the ship has carried flax. Work immediately began to get the cargo out of the hold and ascertain the extent of the damage. The ship is apparently uninjured. The passengers remained calm throughout the trying experience. ’ Captain Edwin states that smoke was observed at 5.30 on Sunday morning coming from a ventilator on the forecastle head leading from No. 1 hold. Arrangements were made to bring the Clayton extinguisher into action, and part of the cover was lifted -from the after end of No. 1 hatch. A heavy volume of light Brown smoke came up. The hose was played down the hold and gas pumped in from the Clayton machine.

The chief officer, Mr. M‘Donald, went down into the hold, but was unable to locate the fire. He opened up the orlop hatch, giving the gas a better chance to do its work.

At 7.30, as the water did not seem to be making any impression, it was decided to rely solely upon the extinguisher. The hatches and ventilators were accordingly closed and the gas pumped into the hold. At J. 45 it was decided to return to Wellington. At 5 p.m. the fire was still smouldering, but was apparently under control. The ship was about 200 miles from Wellington when the fire was discovered. The weather was fine, and the passenges behaved splendidly. The third class passengers were removed from their quarters, which were near the hold in which the fire was burning, as the smoke became overpowering. The usual precautions were taken regarding boat stations for passengers. Plenty of assistance was available if required, as the warship Chatham was within easy distance at 11 a.m., but her help was not required, though it was proffered.

The fire on the Tahiti was extinguished at 3 a.m., and she will probably sail to-morrow afternoon or evening. There is no damage to the vessel, but the cargo in No. 1 hold is seriously damaged. No estimate of the damage can yet be made.