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CHRONOLOGICAL REPORT OF FIRE
ABOARD THE S.S. CHINA TRANSPORT
1. Admiral Higbee, of the Port Wardens Office, called Battalion 6-A, 8:30 a.m., November 19, 1948 and reported the China Transport 3 hours at sea with No. 3 tween-decks hold afire, probably copra.
2. Captain of burning ship radioed he is worried and requested Fireboat No. 2 to meet him at sea.
3. Battalion 6-A directs Admiral Higbee to radio ship instructing them to dump 1000 pounds of CO-2 into hold every 30 minutes, unless CO-2 system is empty.
4. 9:10 a.m. Captain radios CO-2 system empty, hatches open, using water, and steaming for harbor at 17 knots.
5. Battalion 6 asks Admiral Higbee to radio Master requesting him to have ship's agents order two tons of CO-2 to Berth 179 and have ready when ship docks.
6. 11:00 a.m. Division 1-C and Battalion 6, on Boat 3 to meet ship outside breakwater. Fireboat No. 2 standing by inside of Breakwater.
7. Ship met half mile outside, listing about 9 degrees. Chief Officers board ship, checked progress of fire, verified order for CO-2 on wharf, ordered hatch closed and ventilators hooded
8. Ship proceeds to Berth 179, where a power barge was ordered alongside as the electrical wiring to ship's winches were burned out.
9. CO-2 continues to be pumped into hold through ship's system from CO-2 on wharf.
10. 5:00 p.m. Power connections completed. Number 2 Hold opened, blowers put into operation and members of firefighting companies enter Hold with breathing apparatus and worked to seat of fire in that Hold.
11. 11:30 p.m. No. 2 Hold considered safe and No. 3 Hold opened up and same procedure followed.
12. 11-20-48, 10:00 a.m. Fire out for all intents and purposes. Stevedoring crews moving cargo from both Holds. Fire Department standing by.
13. 11-21-48, 5:00 p.m. Fire Department standby crews return to quarters. Stevedores still unloading cargo.
ESTIMATED LOSS: To Ship --$30,000; to Cargo -- $70,000; Total $100,000.
Number 3 Hold --4000 Sacks of Copra Meal --1500 involved.
Number 2 Hold --7000 Sacks of Copra Meal -- 500 involved. |