SERIOUS FIRE ABOARD THE WAIRARAPA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2135, 2 November 1885, Page 2

SERIOUS FIRE ABOARD THE WAIRARAPA.

——o United Press Assooiation. Gisborne, this day, A serious fire broke out on board the Wairarapa, bound from Napier to Giaborne. The Wairarapa left Napier at 9.30 on Saturday night and as usual came under easy steam to arrive here at daylight, About four yesterday morninp an alarm of fire was raised, All the passengers were roused with the utmost expedition, as some of the cabins were already filled with smoke, and several passengers were nearly suffocated before they could escape. All the pas rangers remained on deck until the arrival of the vessel, when they were landed on the beach in safety, many, however, with only scanty clothing, and some with only bed clothes wrapped round them. The fire originated in the linen closet, and from there spread to the ladies' cabin. It then travelled aft, and spread over the whole width of the ship, working through into the hold and to the upper deck into the kitchen and the rooms adjacent, also up through the ventilators. The plates on both sides of the vessel got red hot, and the paint dropped off. The crew under Captain Ohatfield and officers worked hard, and at nine o'clock the Chief Officer reported that the fire had been got under. For several hours it was feared that there was no hope for the ship, and a proposal had been made to beach her. On inspection it was found that the whole of the centre of the ship, for about one-fourth of her length, was completely gutted, all wood-work and fittings being destroyed. The extent of damage to the cargo is not yet known, but it is believed to be considerable both by fire and water, A huge quantity of water was poured into the vessel, which lowered her 2ft in the water. The mails, papers, plate and 12 boxes of gold were landed, the gold being placed in the Bank of New Zealand, The diningsaloon is not injured by the fire, but greatly injured by water. Nearly all the first-class sleeping accommodation is destroyed, The water poured on the main and promenade docks prevented the fire actually bursting through these, but the pitch and paint are all scaled off. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed a lighted njatolj hi ttye ljnen closet had ignited the linen, which smouldered for hours before the fire was discovered, flood order and discipline were maintained on board. Some of the passengers lost nearly all their effects, and commercial travellers their samples. It is computed that it will cost £SOOO to refit the vessel, and she will probably return to Dunedin for repairs, The engine and machinery are uninjured. The pumping gear and donkey engine on board ship worked well, and valuable assistance was lent from the shore in helping to subdue .the flames,