MV Bulolo Back in
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
December Copra ‘Spontaneous Combustion’ Theory
IT is expected that the MV Bulolo —the Bums Philp liner which maintains communications bet ween Sydney and Papua-New Gui nea—will be repaired and back in service in early December.
The Bulolo was badly damaged by a fire which broke out in her copra cargo, in No. 3 hold, when she was being unloaded in Sydney on August 29. It is doubtful if £200,000 will cover the cost of repairs, and the loss caused by the laying-up of the vessel for 3-4 months, and dis organisation of services.
Sydney newspapers said the fire was caused by spontaneous com bustion in the copra. It is doubt ful if there is any authentic case of spontaneous combustion in copra. If there were, many ships would have been lost at sea.
Copra fires have occurred on ships, but almost always when their cargo was being worked in port.
Careless wharf labourers throw cigarette butts around; and the oil-soaked fabric of copra containers is naturally inflammable.