LINER BURNED

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 8

LINER BURNED

CREW ENDANGERED RESCUE AFTER ORDEAL EXPLOSION OF OIL TANKS United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright PARTS. May 5. Frances’s noted 25.178-ton luxury motor-liner Lafayette was completely destroyed at midnight hv fire while being dry-docked at Le Havre. The firo broke out in the engineroom and spread to the oil tanks, which exploded. The town of T,p Havre was lit up by tho flames from the ship, which was still burning furiously late to-night. Explosions £f oil tanks kept residents awake into the early hours. Tho lives of 50 firemen and members of flie crew were endangered at one stage, when flames swept the deck, cutting off the means of escape. Finally the men were rescued with a rope ladder. LOSS OF £2.000.000 CAUSE OF THE FIDE United Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LE HAVRE, May 5. The fire on the Lafayette was caused by a fireman lighting an oil jet which came jn contact with a patch of oil. If is estimated that the loss is £2,000,000. MOTOR SHIP AGROUND VESSEL FROM NEW PLYMOUTH STEAMER STANDING BY United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Cepyrtgn. BRISBANE, May 5 The Port Line motor-ship Port Saint John, bound for Gladstone, Queensland, from New Plymouth, went aground on a reef at Lady Elliot Island. 200 miles north of Brisbane. The coastal steamer Cannonbar is standing by and a lug left Brisbane for the scene to-day. .