In the attempt to put out the fire in the cabins, a number of _portholes, which had been left closed, had to be broken, and water poured in from the outside. After two hours' hard work, the brigade had the satisfaction of seeing their efforts rewarded. The fire was subdued not a moment too soon, for the bunkers, which had been filled in view of the steamer's early departure, were becoming seriously threatened.
The Cause of the Fire.
The cause of the fire has not yet been discovered. The outbreak was first seen by a stoker coming off duty, and it was then near the companion way of the state rooms. The damage is con siderable. The saloon was gutted, and nearly all the cabins on that particular part of the ship were damaged. The wireless generator was affected, as were also the Captain's quarters, the chart room, and the bridge. Th: Fire Brigade are to be highly com mended for the way in which they. worked. The outbreak threatened to be particularly serious, and nad it not been for the efforts of the Brigade, there is little doubt that the whole ship would have become involved. Inspector Mellows was in charge of the river police, who also did good work.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.