THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 1916. -
SHIP'S FIRE AT KOWLOON. THE S.S. “SIBERIA MARU”
THE POLAVEN" INQUIRY
GASES IN AN ENGINE-HOOM,
The inquiry was resumed at the Hong kong Marine Court yesterday, in connee tion with a fire on the ss. Polaven which
RECEPTION ON BOARD. The s, Siberia Marn, the property of the Toyo Kisen Kaisha, nude her first call this week at the port of Hongkong since her purchase from the old Pacife Mail Company, and her owners, held
SCENE AT THE MARINE COURT. WANDERING THIRD ENGINEER
day, Capt, Mesney, of the Fuensang, At the Hongkong Marine Court yester-
charged J. Williamson, 3rd engineer of the same vessel, with leaving the boat
SPORT
CRICKET.
H.K.C.C. «. THE UNIVERSITY.
versity in the above match today on the The following will represent the Uni
R. Ponsabe, Fare, K. Brayshay, G. E. Club's ground Ng Sze Kwong (Capt.), Marley Wright, F. A. Redmond, Dizon, Chau Yat Cheong and W. Gittens.
occurred on November 2nd, when the reception on board yesterday afternoon without leave at Manila on November. de Bouse A. H. Rumjahn, D. P.
20th.
charged:-- I did not desert. How could The man loudly exclaimed, when
I desert the skip when I was on it? am not guilty, withdraw the charge.". Commander Beckwith-There is a in way of saying so you know. Keep Cie man quiet.
KOWLOON. CIVIL SERVICE.
INTIMATIONS
LANE,
CRAWFORD & Co.
JUST ARRIVED
A SPLENDID SELECTION OF
EIDER
The following will represent Kowloon against the Civil Service to-day, ut King's Park, play to commence at cerburn, K.Mncaskill, W., Stapleton, E-J Edwards, Col. Watson, A. O. Brawn, S. E. Green, W. T. Elson, J. V. Braga and J. H. Mead.
3.15 p.m.-J. P. Rotimon, L. 5. Back EIDER
Capt. Mesney said the third engineer left the vessel at Manila on November 9th. He went on shore without permis aion at 11.30 am. The ship was sailing
vessel was alongside the wharf at the to mark the event. Nearly 400 ladies and Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co. The gentlemens responded to the Company's Court was composed of Commander invitation, and were met and welcomed Beckwith, R.N., Commander Gibson, by Captain K. Hashimoto, The whole of R.N., Capt. Walker, and Mr. J. Mac the vessel was thrown open to the in- donald (Government Marine Surveyor),spection of the visitors, under the cha- Mr. H. W. Looker appeared on behalf peronage of the ship's officers. The latter of the Dock Company, and Mr. F. Cwere indefatigable in their efforts for Jenkia (instructed by Mr. Hooper) re-
the comfort and convenience of their presented the Asiatic Petroleum Com. Buests, who were hospitably entertained pany, the owners of the Polaren,
to tes and other refreshments. The Evidence was resumed on behalf of the
visitors were impressed with the excel- lence of the equipient of the vessel and Dock Company. A Chinese electricen he superior character of the accommoda- on the afternoon of December 2nd, at 4 spoke to going on board the Polen tution provided for all classes of passer pm, and at 3.10 p.m. that day the man test the electric lights, which were agers. Soon after the steamer changed was brought on board by the Manila plied by the Dock Company. In the ands her new owners had her completely police, at witness' request." engine-room there were two group lights: overhauled and had a number of internal engineer was under the influence of drink which were at the bottom near the engine, alterations made which are distinct in-at the time. The official log also con- When he was on board these lights, were provenienti: Among those was the transfer tained an entry showing that the defend. barning. At the same time holes were being drilled by electricity, and there upper deck from the middle deck, to
of the gentlemen's smoking room to the ant refused to work. Witness added that were also other lights on the ship together wit the addition of a ladies the man had given trouble before at enable the biler makers to work.
smoking room or lounge, both of which, Manila, but it had been overlooked. The as well as the dining saloon and music boat arrived at Hongkong on Tuesday, room, are magnificently furnished,
and the defendant left the ship on Wednesday and did not return again until yesterday. He had no permission to go ashore in Hongkong.
By Mr. Jenkin-He had never seen a candle being used on a boat. He usually visited and inspected a ship once every
other day.
Henrique Coelho, as apprentice in the Dock Company, spoke to geing, on board the Poiteen twice before the fire When on board he went into the engine room store room. Here he saw a tank containing cotton waste, used and unused, There was a shelf 'n the store-room which was dirty and oily.
William Forsyth, an assistant engineer at the Dock Company, anid he had been in the Company's employ for three years. Previous to this he had been chief en gineer on various steamers. The fofuven, he said, was under his charge, and the electric dight used was laid on to the ship by the Dock Company. Witness gave instructions to the No. 1 fitter, the day before the fire, to uncover the fan engine. Originally the Polaren was German vessel. She was taken over by the British Admiralty and used as a distilling vessel, and about the time of the fire the Dock Company were about to convert the Polaven into an oil vessel. The day before the fire he saw two group lamp burning in the engine-room, These were moveable lamps, with 20 to 30 feet of wire attached; they had a wandering lead. On the day of the fire- bo went aboard the boat between 7.30 and 7.40 a.m. He went in by way of the engine-room door and past the steering geas. To the best of his belief the electric lights in the engine-room were burning at this time, though he did not go down to the bottom to make sure. Before the day of the fire, there was no need for. anyone to be working at the bottom of the engine-room. Witness went about the ship, but mw no-one using candles; he saw no-one on the "bottom-side" of, the -engine-room. Witness left to go to a ship at the other end of the yard, and then heard that there was a fire on the Polaven.
tons, and her engines of 17,800 bores The vessel's tonnage is nearly 12,000 power are capable in developing a speed of 10 knots. Speed, indeed, is one of minimum speed has been 390 miles per the vessel's leading features. Нег day, and she came from Manila to Hong- kong on her present teip in 40 hours. Along with her sister steamer, Korea Vors, which was purchased at the same tie, she has been put on the service be Aween Hongkong and San Francisco via Japan ports and Honolulu. She has accomodation for 101 first class passen gers, 54 second class, and 600 third.
The third
Commander Beckwith warned the man, and asked him to confine himself to the charge.
|
The following will represent the Civil Service:-E. W. Hamilton (Captain), C. Bevera, R. E. O Bird, S. Alderman, EW. Dawson, J. Dease, It. C. Witchell, C. F. Mason, C. J. Tacchi, R. Bearne and C. Sara.
KOWLOON 2ND XI. v. H.M.S. TAMAR."
For this match at Happy Valley this by the following:-D. J. Mackenzie, C. afternoon, Kowloon will be represented
J. Stapleton, F. Travers, O. Woodman, Schultz, A. G. File, J. Ralston, J. M. A. E. Silkstone, A. R. F. Raven, A. E
Jack and W. Kay.
ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.
The Volunteers and the Navy, who have not hitherto come into contact this acuson, meet to-day on the Club Ground in the U.8. League. It is pleasing to they have expressed in getting their men learn that the Navy, despite the trouble together, and their persistent bad luck,
HIGH
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WE HAVE OTHER BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS AND COLOURINGS TO SELECT FROM
PRICES $17.50
Asked if he had any questions, the de-have decided to continue to run a team MATERIALS. fendant burst into a unintelligible should have an easy task this afternoon. in each league. On form, the Volunteers statement during which he made all sorts The R.G.A. and K.E. have met before of allegations.
this year in the Hongkong League, when their respective defences proved too good for the opposing forwards, a goalless acon will be very keen. draw resulting. The game this after- The Gunners are on top for the time being in this league, and a draw will make them safe for at least another fortnight,
In the 2nd division, the 87th Company and Kowloon meet Ground, and the 88th Company with on the Military
Lusitano on the Navy Ground.” The first two teams occupy rather lowly positions
of points. The military team is the in the league table, and will both be glad
stronger and ought to win. In the match on the Navy Ground, last year's champions Dicet a team that is well în the running for this year's honours, being
Defendant would not become rational, Lunker, witness said it would be very
In reply to another question by Mr. but continued to shout and wave, his. dieul for a workinan to get the fan arms, exclaiming that he was a passen casing alight with a candle; unless heger, though on the articles, and a passen. set the candle against it,
ger was not supposed to work.
Asked if he could give any opinion as to the cause of the fire, witness said:- The vessel had coal-bankers immediately above the store. The coal had been in the bunkers for some time. That coul was probably from six to seven feet deep. That coal may have been ignited, from the bottom-side, by spontaneous com bustion, heated the 'twoer desk plate it was resting on, dad caused an explosion that may have beet emitted from any That may have caused the "bomb gases from the tanks in the store-room.
explosion referred to by some witnesses,
There was explosion could take place in the fan another possibility. An casings, due to coal gas, Coal may have been standing for some time, and coal draught. This would generate gas, and dust might get into the casings, through
coal gas. a fresh draught of air would fire the
Ho went back and found cotton waste..
1
A third possibility was this:--Ordin- ary cotton waste is very inflammable. The chances are, if any of those kerosene oil tins were leaking, and the oil got along towards the cotton waste, and that cotton waste was dampas most cotton would create heat which wonid ignite the waste is the combination of the two
bose playing on the coal bunkers, and Witness added that there were stringent other fire floats connecting up their hoses. ralea about not smoking in the yard. Witness went on board and looked down.
By Mr. Jenkin-He had not discussed the coal-bunkers. He saw that the coals the various possibilities mentioned with were blazing with a red glow, and his experts. He would specs to find two impression then was that the fire had gases in the engine-room; that caused by started in the coal-bunker; that was where the kerosene, and also the oxygen in the it seemed to be most fieree. He was then air. told that the engine room was on fire with a heated 'tween deck plate might These gues coming into contact well, He went there and saw a dense cause an explosion. A little gas would amoko, Wituces caught hold of a hose, come from lubricating oil under certain placed a handkerchief around his mouth, conditions. and endeavoured to make his way down
Mr. Jenkin asked witness how he ex- to the engine room, with a view to getting plained the fact that the tank gas made to where the fire was burning. It was its way up to the heated 'tween deck plate; some considerable time before he was able he always understood that gas went down to get down, and then he found that the not up.
oil tanks in the store-room were ablaze. Witness Gas always goes up. More hose was secured and they put out Mr. LockerMy friend might be think. the fire. It took two hours to put outing of legal gas, which generally goes the fire, and then witness made an in down. (Laughter.) spection. There were five feet of water in
air.
Capt. Mesney said that though the man was on the articles he refused to work; he said he was a passenger.
Defendant again commenced to shout and gesticulate, and Commander Beck with thereupon sentenced him to one month's hard labour,
HONGKONG MAGISTRACY.
IN THE NIGHT.
Mr. Nolan, Chief Interpreter at the
chai Road, was visited by an unknown. Supreme Court, who lives at 185, Wan-
Chinese on Thursday night. The was seen prowling about the porch by the houseboy, who promptly arrested him. The man was sentenced to a month's hard labour by Mr. Wood
JAPANESE STOWAWAY,
yet lost a match. Unless the 88th Com-
one of the two teima left which have not
pany have improved a great deal since Gall last appear tick, the local team should have very little difficulty in vanquishing them,
-TO-DAY'S MATCHES,
U.S. -LEAGUE,
·R.G.A. ». R.E-Navy Ground. Kick- off, 4 p.m. Referee, Mr. Wright,
Ground. Kick-off, 4 p.m. Referee, Mr. NAVY บ H.K. VOLUNTEERS. -- Club
Davies.
2ND DIVISION.
87TH Cor. R.G.A. 21. KOWLOON.- Military Ground Kick-on, 2.30 p.m. Referee, Mr. Wells.
88TH COT. R.G.A. v.. LUSITANO.-Navy
Banks,
TRAME.
In the case in which a Japanese is i elarged with being a stowaway, which" was adjourned for the Japanese Consul Ground. Kick-off, 2,30 p.m. Referee, Mr. to be consulted, it was stated by Inspector Gordon that the Consul believed the man's story about trying to find work
NAVY.-Crocker; Flemming and God: to support his parents. If defendant frey: Cornish Martin and Cox; Hopper, were acquitted, the Consulate would Palmer, Ridgeway, Dann and Daniels. either and him work or send him back H.K. VOLUNTEERS Goldenberg; Black fendant on his signing a personal bond Rodger; Robinson, McTavish, Smith, to Japan. Mr. Wood discharged the deand McCubbin; Railton, Stowart and of $50 to come up if called upuu.
YOUNG CRIMINALS.
Chassels and Stalker,
R. E. Wilkinson; Blumbeld and Coxon; Brennan, Smith and Richards; Millard, Townsend, Scott, White and Pearce.
Gorman, Talfourd
B.G.A.--Garrod; Caple and Dickenson; and Townsend; Youngman, Edgeler, Saunders, Leighton and Halle.
A gang of youthful thieves were charged; before Mr. C. D. Melbourne. It was stated by Inspector Lammont that the first youth was found to have in his possession a large quantity of pawn tickets, which led to enquiries being made, from which it appeared that they HONGKONG LEAGUE ist DIVISION related to clothing stolen recently from the Hunghom, Yaumati and Kowloon districts and which had been put out to dry, It was evident that the other de fondants had been helping him to steal Hongkong FC.
the engine room, the store was burned just cribbed from me. (Laughter.)
Mr. Jenkin--That is a joke you have away, oil was dripping from various tanks-kerosene
Witness said that gas could be forced and lubricating oil. After he got the water ont he found much by the atmosphere; it was lighter than
and pawn the clothing. There has been .G.A ness, after examining the plan, said that, on lately, and this was only a small K.8.L." Further replying to Mr. Jenkin, wit a great deal of that sort of thing going BE. when he went down to the engine-room part of what the defendants had undoubt | Nevg after the fire be noticed that the electric, edly been mixed up with. Fght was over the engine on which the men had not been working. It was not to receive eight strokes with the birch, His worship sentenced two defendanta necessary, he added, for the fire to have and discharged three others because of commenced where it was burning fiercest, lack of evidence.
Replying to Commander Gibson, wit-
ness said he did not notice any abnormal
AN OLD NUISANCE.
TABLE TO DATE.
Clph,
P. W. L D 8 0 811
UNITED SERVICES LEAGUE
Grais
P. W.-L. D. F. A. P. 2 0.0 * 0
ROA H K Volunteers 2 1 1 ESLL
1
0 በ. 1 33
0
1 0
--
HONGKONG LEAGUE.
Division II. Table to Date.
debris and charred wood, and a consider- able amount of oily matter at the top of the tanks. The water in the engine room was coloured with oil The deck was all buckled up, showing that the fire had been very fierce. Some of the frames on the side of the ship were also buckled up. The fan-engine showed traces of the fire; the propeller and the fan easing were buckled. It appeared to him that the fire had been Bercest along the plating temperature in the engine-room when he of the 'tween deck, which was directly was in it before the fire. under the coal bunkers. This was where
A coolie woman was charged with RE... Octavions Lanbetti, a chemist, said carrying a bamboo pole and two tin. Navy ... he saw flames..
After the engine-room that coal lying in a heap for sometime, buckets containing water on the public had been pumped out he smelt kerosene was able to generate heat when in a footpath in Queen's Road Central, such oil very plainly. The coal was taken closed space. Oxidation took place, beat polo and buckets being calculated to out and placed on shore, and some of was developed, and then combustion took annoy and incommode passengers. it he noticed had not been burned at place. Kerosene oil, he said, threw off Inspector Garrod spoke to making the all, though about 60 per cent. was so gas, and if this came into contact with arrest. The defendant admitted, the badly burned as to make it unfit for fire red hot plate it would cause an explo charge. Inspector Garrod also drew his Asked if there were any special dock in cotton waste, because cotten waste was 1904 a similar case was brought, which, sion. Okidation might also take place worship's attention to the fact that in regulations regarding oil ships, witness liable to be impregnated with greñes on appeal, went to the Supreme Court replied that if they had a ship coming Because of the combination of the oxygen Here into dock which had been carrying oil in the air and the grease in the waste, William Goodman (Chief Justice) and #airs
decision was given by Sir as cargo, they always told the men that cotton waste was a great accumulator of Mr. O. Bercombe Smith (Puisus Judge), no lights were to be taken down that heat; its spaced were full of oxygen. If in consequence of which the case was reh Co., R.G.A. 83rd ORGA yessel-no naked lights; and that no-such waste were in a tank it would ferred back to the Magistracy, where & 7th RG.A. body was to go down the bolds until such accumulate heat much more quickly. If conviction was recorded. time as electric light had been fixed up. cotton wasta came into contact with para
H.E. Res... His worship pointed out that defendant | Navy Bam. Witness added that it was usual for En gra there would be an explosion. This was liable to a fine of 850, but as there candles to be used on other boats by the would occur especially in a confined had been no cases recently, and as, it workmen.
place, (Continued at fot of next Colunis.).
was not generally known that it was nu offence, he would only impose a fine of #1.
coal.
The bearing was again adjourned.
Chab
China Ath. *D* €6., K SLL 6 4 4" Co., K8.LL Sixt and Depts Lusitano
final-
P W. L
FA. P
A
won
The Staff and-Bepartments r, Islamics is not included pending confirmation of sentence by H.K.F.A.
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