Record of the Orient Line steamship SS ORIENT catching fire in Port Melbourne

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Record of the Orient Line steamship SS ORIENT catching fire in Port Melbourne

Author Herbert Elsdale Inskip

Publisher Rollo Albert Cape

Maker Orient Line (1878 - 1966)

Date1895

Object number00029899

NameManuscript

MediumInk on paper, cloth

DimensionsOverall: 380 x 260 x 23 mm, 1.45 kg

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Merrilyn Mellis

DescriptionA manuscript compiled by Rollo A Cape, Average Adjuster, titled 'Statement of General Average by the Steamship ORIENT. Bound record of the Orient Line steamship SS ORIENT catching fire in Port Melbourne in June 1895'. (Newspaper accounts of the event place the fire as occuring on 12 August 1895). HistoryThis bound record of the fire was produced by the Orient Line of Steamers, probably as a document to be circulated within the company, its insurers and to its clients who lost goods in the fire. It includes the captain's (Herbert Inskip) account of how the SS ORIENT caught fire and attempts to put out the blaze. It also includes statements from Lloyd's about damage to the ship and cargo, inventories of cargo, accounts of compensation paid for lost cargo and accounts of money raised by selling fire damaged cargo. The fire on the steamer Orient is assaming a serious aspect. The bunker where the outbreak occurred is leaking, and is unable to hold sufficient water to quench tbe fire, and it is feared the walls of the bunker will crack and let the flee spread beyond control. Later. The flre on the s.s. Orient has been practically extinguished without spreading. The fire on (he steamship Orient was soon subdued after the door between the watertight compartments, which had been left open and allowed tbe water to escape, was closed by a diver. Moat of the cargo in the forehold is destroyed, and the internal fittings of the vessel are much damaged. FIRE ON BOARD S.S. ORIENT. Melbourne, August 10. SignificanceThis book is significant is recording a common case of fire. The SS ORIENT was contracted to carry mail between Australia and Britain and the book shows in detail the cargo carried, its value and who sent it. The book is rare because of its age and because only a small number of copies would have been printed.