FIRE IN WOOL CARGO.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 50, 29 January 1932, Page 7

FIRE IN WOOL CARGO.

VESSEL AT WELLINGTON.

OUTBREAK UNDER CONTROL,

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. Fire broke out last night in the wool cargo of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line’s motor ship Port Fremantle at the King’s Wharf. Indications of trouble were observed shortly before the ship left Wanganui roadstead early yesterday afternoon, and heat and smoke coming from the hold as she neared Wellington caused the master to radio a request that the vessel be berthed immediately on arrival to enable a, start to be made at once to discharge the cargo.'. . > . . - ,'v The vessel arrived in port shortly before ten o’clock, and the harbourmaster at once berthed her. The watersiders, with the assistance of two wharf cranes, started discharging the wool, which, almost completely 'filled No. 5 hold.. The heat became more intense, as the unloading continued, and after some 200 bales had been discharged the men had to quit the hold. The smoke now come away in great volume and very soon, due to the free circulation of air in the hatchway, fire actually broke out, shortly before midnight. Hoses had, been in readiness since the vessel’s arrival and the brigade were summoned. The flames had been checked by the time the latter arrived, but the firemen donned smoke helmets and entered the hold and endeavoured to ascertain the actual seat of the outbreak. Water was still being poured in at an early hour this morning. The Port Fremantle recently loaded, at Nelson, New Plymouth, Napier and Wanganui, the cargo shipped including frozen meat, tallow, about 19,500 boxes of butter, and 9760 crates,of cheese, as well as a large quantity of wool shipped at Napier and Wanganui. The cause of the fire is believed to. be spontaneous combustion, which has been responsible for many, similar outbreaks in various ships. The Port Fremantle is one of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line’s fast motor-ships. She is a vessel of 6072 tons gross register, and is commanded by Captain W. Gilling. _ t : Later.,

The Port Fremantle firq appears to have been confined entirely to No. -5 hold, which contained 2500 bales of wool, some casks of tallow and a small quantity of milk powder and casein. Approximately! 300 bales of wool were on consignment. In addition to having to clear No. 5 hold; which was flooded, it. will be, necessary, to remove a good deal of wool on. the, shelter deck. The ship suffered very little structural damage, jnuoh of the water pumped in having, escapedthrough holes cut in the side, and the vessel has now righted herself, borne of the plates are bulged. ' • The fire amongst the wool was first suspected when loading was in progress at Wanganui on Tuesday and all the ventilators were then closed: It had. been expected to finish the loading that night, but bad weather came up and the ship had to go into the roadstead. Loading was resumed the next day, and the ship finally left for Wellington. , . ' , Minor repairs will be made in Wellington, but permanent repairs will be effected in London. The .fire is practically under control.