Later, a fire float also arrived and assisted in fighting the blaze, There were lifeboats at the stern of the 'iN-fated vessel, but these also were devoured by the flames. However, the fire in the bows had by this time been subdued, although large seolugins of flame emanating from the stern of the craft indicated that much work remained to be done.
The third-class compartments were burnt out completely and much of the first-class accommodation suffered the same fate.
There were large number of junks and sampans anchored very near the Sui Tai and when the flames were at their worst tw> Aarge cargo wooden junks caught fire. Fast work of the boatmen in sailing their ignited craft away from the scene saved these vessels "rom the fate of the Sui Tai.
Huge Crowds Tram, motor and pedestrian traffic from Wing-Lok Street Wharf were al] at a standstill, while thousands of native and European ightscers were attracted to wit ness the fire on various points on the bund:
The Wing Lok Wharf was also edly. damaged on account of the fact that the flames from the starboard side swept right across the Wharf, and gutted most of the timber work on the Wharf.
"Avery, small portion of the cargo wai sive before the fire developed into serious proportions and these included some fire-crackers. joss-sticks and other inflammable materials, but it is learned that the majority of them were badly damag. ed by water. It is stated by Mr. John Arnold, Secretary of the Hongkong, Canton, and Maca Steamship. Company, that the Tai was fully insured. From the Chinese seamen it is gathered that all their belongings on board were destroyed.
The Sui Tat The Sui Tai is a steel twin-screw steamer of 1,265 tons gross. She was built to the order of the steam. boat Farnham & Ca, Shanghai,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.