HOLLAND: TUGS STAND BY BLAZING LIBERIAN SHIP OFF HOOK OF HOLLAND

Record ID: 872642

  • Title: HOLLAND: TUGS STAND BY BLAZING LIBERIAN SHIP OFF HOOK OF HOLLAND
  • Date: 14th February 1966
  • Summary: THE BLAZING SHIP SIX MILE (9 KMS) FROM THE HOOK OF HOLLAND WITH TUGS STANDING BY. Initials AA/V/BHH/EEH Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 1st March 1966 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HOOK OF HOLLAND
  • City:
  • Country: AT SEA
  • Topics:
  • Reuters ID: LVA9MVA823FT22DI54K2ATB0LYK7
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: OFF THE HOOK OF HOLLAND, THE BLAZING LIBERIAN STEAMER "SOUTH AMERICA" HAS BEEN TOWED AGROUND. THE SHIP, 5,361 TONS, WAS BURNING FROM BOW TO STERN AFTER FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE HOLDS ON FRIDAY AND AT ONE TIME THE INTENSE HEAT FORCED BACK FIRE-FIGHTING TUGS.

    THE CAPTAIN AND CREW WERE TAKEN OFF SAFELY SOON AFTER THE FIRE BEGAN AND A SALVAGE CREW THAT BOARDED THE SHIP HAD TO ABANDON BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF EXPLOSION FROM BOTTLES OF ACETYLENE AND BARRELS OF PETROL ABOARD THE STRICKEN VESSEL.

    SALVAGE EXPERTS SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THERE WAS LITTLE HOPE OF SAVING THE SHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE HULL WOULD BE BLASTED OPEN BY THE HEAT. IF NOT, THE BLAZE WAS LIKELY TO CONTINUE FOR MANY DAYS.

    THE 19 YEAR-OLD "SOUTH AMERICA", OWNED BY THE EMPIRE SHIPPING CORPORATION OF MONROVIA, WAS BOUND FOR HAMBURG FROM VALPARAISO.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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