Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-07

board OF survey, TO De appointed 10
estimate the extent of damage sus
tanned the bark S. c. Allen at dis
astrous fire that swept the after part
of that vessel late Saturday night
and continuing with undated fury
until an early hour Sunday morning,
work will begin at once on the re-
building of the vessel at the Inter
Island slip way.
Until the board makes its report,
the extent of damage can only be
roughly estimated. 1t is believed that
IL will require ten thousand dollars
to place the vessel in satisfactory
condition again. ..".@
1t is learned today that but little in
surance is carried on the bark. Cap
tain Mather and his wife saved only
the clothes in which they stand They
were away from the vessel at the
time the fire broke out. In return
ing to the vessel, they were then IN
able to save anything. Personal eff
fects to considerable value were de-
stroyed.
The present voyage of the s. C..
Allen was in the nature of a bridal
tour for Mrs. Mather. The cabin in
the we'll known sailing vessel had
been fitted up in pleasing manner in
honor of the occasion.
Captain Mather is credited with
having had pretty narrow escape
from serious burns. In leaving the
top df the house he leaped to the
deck below, which having been afire,
became weakened and gave away be-
meath the weight of the skipper. Cap
tain Mather was hurled to the next
deck below, then mass of blazing
timber He was rescued unharmed
save some slight burns.
Chief Mate g. c. Bowen. spared
a portion of his wardrobe through the
failure of Japanese to find the
quarters occupied by the officer.
The 8. C. Allen, which built in Bath,
Maine, and has been twenty-five years
in service, is partially owned by
Allen & Robinson. Several parties on
the Coast hold an interest in the
vessel The vessel has been engaged
in the lumber trade between the
Coaa and the islands for years, Allen
& Robinson of this city holding an
interest in the bark and serving as
her agents.
A lighted cigarette may have been
responsible for the fire that is now be-
iieved to have had its origin in the
lower part of the afterhold of the S.
c. Allen. Spontaneous combustion
was also given as possible reason
FOR the blaze that has done thousands
of dollags' damage to the once prom
inont lumber carrier
That lamp exploded IN one of the
cabins and in so doing set fire TO the
after part of the vessel Is secuted as
improbable.
The S. C. Allen arrived here on
March 10th from Grays Harbor with
full shipment of lumber consigned to
the agency of Allen e Robinson. The
vessel, under the command of Captain
Mather, who is a well known and very
popular mariner has heretofore been
favored with much good luck. The
S. G. Allen had been discharged with
the last of the week, and Friday Cap
tain Mather completed arrangements
with the Inter-Island Steam Naviga-
ton Company whereby the bark was
to go to the local marina railway for
cleaning, repainting ana. a general
overhauling of her decks and rigging.
Night watchmen connected with the
federal customs service are said to
have first discovered the presence Of
fire on board the distressed bark late
Saturday evening. The news that the
s. C. Allen was afire rapidly spread
along the partially deserted water.
front. A phone message soon brought
the fire department to the scene. II
was then that insufficient pressure
was found in the city mains. Several
attempts made by the fire fighters to
raise column of water to the height
of the burning deck and upper works
of the vessel met with failure. As
the bark rested on the marine railway
IL was necessary that stream be SEM
to a considerable distance. Additional
hose was brought from the stations
and connection was then made Will
the waters of the harbor. The en-
gines began pumping and severa
large and powerful streams were the
result. s...
BY eleven o'clock the fire was vel
Under control, but not. however, unit
the greater part of the stern of The
bark had been burned away. The
CaDl0S were PERIODICALLY 6uINSu' MuSA
damage was also done to the gear ant
rigging.
The fire certainly visited the harbol
at an unfortunate time. Repairs Il
the engine of the U. 5. tug Nayajt
prevented that vessel rendering an
assistance. The Matson Navigation
tug Intrepid, which has. been undergo
ing extensive alterations for three
weeks past was completely out of com
mission. The lighthouse tender Kukui
while prepared to take to sea or rem
der assistance, was handicapped il
that the vessel was of too deep ;
draught to get anywhere near TIT
blazing vessel, then high and dry oil
the marine railway cradle.
Captain Mather denies that an!
large quantity of oil or inflammablt
material was stored in the lazaret o
the vessel as reported yesterda.
tho t,1Ihlip IlpiOfS