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


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 unabated 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.
II 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 I'M
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, bridal
tour for. Mrs. Mather. The cabin in
the well known sailing vessel had
been fitted up in pleasing manner in
honor of the occasion.
Captain Mather is credited with
having had a pretty narrow escape
from serious burns. In leaving the
top of the house he leaped to the
deck below, which having been Hfire,
became weakened and gave away be-
meath the weight of the skipper. Cap
tain Mather was hurled to the next
deck below, then a mass of blazing
timber. He was rescued unframed
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 S. 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
Coast 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-
.ileved to have had its origin in the
lower part of the afterhold of the S.
G. Allen. Spontaneous combustion
was also given as a possible reason
FOR the blaze that has done thousands
Of dollars damage TO the once prom
inent lumber carrier.
That a 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. G. Allen arrived here on
March 10th from Grays Harbor with
g full shipment of lumber consigned to
the agency of Allen & Robinson. The
vessel, under the command of Captain
Mather, who is a we'll known and very
popular mariner, has heretofore been
favored with much good luck. The
S. C. 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 marine railway for
a cleaning, repainting and a general
oyerhauling other 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 fate
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. IL
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
ii was necessary that a stream be sent
10 a considerable distance Additional
hose was brought from the stations,
and connection was then made with
the waters of the harbor The en-
gines began pumping and several
large and powerful streams were the
result.
BY eleven o'clock the fire was well
under control, but not, however, until
the greater part of the stern of the
bark had been burned away The
cabins were practically Quilted Much
damage was also done to the gear and
rigging.
The fire certainly visited the harbor
at an unfortunate time. Repairs TO
the engine of the L. S. tug Navajo
prevented that vessel rendering any
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 in
that the vessel was of too deep a
draught to get anywhere near the
blazing vessel, then high and dry on
the marine railway cradle. iii.
Captain Mather denies that any
large quantity of oil or inflammable
material was stored in the lazaret of
the vessel as reported yesterday
morning through the public prints.