COVER PICTURE
Memberadjusting M.S.A. Hose Masks
prior to entering burning No. 2 Hold
of the S.S. China Transport.
See Chronological report of Fire on Page 7

--Photo by Alderman of
Photo and Publicity. L.A.F.D.




______________
CHRONOLOGICAL REPORT OF FIRE
ABOARD THE S.S. CHINA TRANSPORT

1.   Admiral Higbee, of the Port Wardens Office, called Battalion 6-A, 8:30 a.m., November 19, 1948 and reported the China Transport 3 hours at sea with No. 3 tween-decks hold afire, probably copra.

2.   Captain of burning ship radioed he is worried and requested Fireboat No. 2 to meet him at sea.

3.    Battalion 6-A directs Admiral Higbee to radio ship instructing them to dump 1000 pounds of CO-2 into hold every 30 minutes, unless CO-2 system is empty.

4.   9:10 a.m. Captain radios CO-2 system empty, hatches open, using water, and steaming for harbor at 17 knots.

5.   Battalion 6 asks Admiral Higbee to radio Master requesting him to have ship's agents order two tons of CO-2 to Berth 179 and have ready when ship docks.

6.   11:00 a.m. Division 1-C and Battalion 6, on Boat 3 to meet ship outside breakwater.  Fireboat No. 2 standing by inside of Breakwater.

7.   Ship met half mile outside, listing about 9 degrees.  Chief Officers board ship, checked progress of fire, verified order for CO-2 on wharf, ordered hatch closed and ventilators hooded

8.   Ship proceeds to Berth 179, where a power barge was ordered alongside as the electrical wiring to ship's winches were burned out.

9.    CO-2 continues to be pumped into hold through ship's system from CO-2 on wharf.

10.   5:00 p.m. Power connections completed.  Number 2 Hold opened, blowers put into operation and members of firefighting companies enter Hold with breathing apparatus and worked to seat of fire in that Hold.

11.   11:30 p.m. No. 2 Hold considered safe and No. 3 Hold opened up and same procedure followed.

12.   11-20-48, 10:00 a.m.  Fire out for all intents and purposes.  Stevedoring crews moving cargo from both Holds. Fire Department standing by.

13.   11-21-48, 5:00 p.m.  Fire Department standby crews return to quarters.  Stevedores still unloading cargo.

 

ESTIMATED LOSS:  To Ship --$30,000;  to Cargo -- $70,000;  Total  $100,000.

Number 3 Hold --4000 Sacks of Copra Meal --1500 involved.

Number 2 Hold --7000 Sacks of Copra Meal --  500 involved.


DECEMBER, 1948
THE FIREMEN'S GRAPEVINE


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