FIRE ON THE MARIPOSA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1883, 25 April 1889, Page 2

FIRE ON THE MARIPOSA.

Auckland, April 24 The E.M.S. Mariposa which left for San Francisco on Monday last, returned to port at half past three o'clock this morning. The cause of her return was an outbreak of fijre among a quantity of flax that had been stored in the forehold. Immediately the fire was discovered measures we're taken to extinguish it. The hatches were kept close shut while steam was turned into the hold/ After working for six hours the fire was extinguished, but it was thought inadvisable to proceed on the voyage until the extent of the damage had been ascertained, The hatches had not been remored up to the time of her arrival, but an examination of her hold is being made. The greatest good order was observed throughout the occurrence. The Mariposa was 220 miles distant when the fire was discovered among the flax in the lower forehold. An attempt to extinguish the fire by removing the flax failed, the men being nearly suffocated. The vessels' speed was reduced by half and she was "put back for Auckland* The hatches were battened down and the fire smothered at midnight yesterday. All hands behaved splendidly and the passengers exhibited no alarm. A large quantity of flax was damaged. The extent and the amount of injury, have not yet been ascertained, The mails were uninjured, the ]New Zealand mails being as dry as when shipped. Two bags of Sydney mails were soaked but were not otherwise injured. The Mariposa resumed her voyage at four to-day. i