FIRE APPLIANCES - 175

extinguisher, but if it is too big for that I would turn on the water and
drown it out. Should, however, it be a deep seated fire and inaccessible,
I would close all ventilators and openings into the cargo space and inject
steam into the hold. Ships fitted with refrigerating plant usually
carry cylinders of 002 gas. I would inject a few cylinders of this gas
into the hold, introducing it through holes in the bulkheads. Should
£he ship be fitted with a special fire smothering system I would turn it
on to the affected hold immediately the fire was discovered, making sure
that all persons were out of the compartment before doing so.

If the fire were a serious one and had got out of hand, threatening
danger of a conflagration or explosion, I would swing out the boats and
have everything ready for abandoning ship. Intimate the facts of the
case by wireless telegraphy. Head the ship for the nearest port or
beach should she be near the coast.

I would keep in mind that water sprayed on burning oil from a
nozzle having perforations is more effective than a stream of water.

FIRE APPLIANCES as RECOMMENDED by the BOARD OF TRADE
Foreign-going Cargo Ships.
(a) Steamships of 2000 gross tonnage and upwards,—At least two
steam or equivalent pumps shall be available, each of which is capable
of providing a full supply of water to a range of metal service pipes,
fitted with branches at intervals of about 60 feet so arranged that the
fire hoses, of which two shall be provided, may be readily coupled
thereto, and two powerful jets of water may be rapidly and simultane-
ously brought to bear upon each space occupied by ofilcers' and
%rew, or upon any part of each cargo space, or upon each coal
bunker space.
In addition, satisfactory means shall be provided whereby steam
may be conveyed to each closed-in cargo compartment.
Two smoke helmets of an approved type (stowed in separate places)
and 12 fire buckets shall be provided*
All foreign-going cargo steamships shall have at least two chemical
fire extinguishers in each compartment of the machinery space where oil
Is used. A portable chemical fire extinguisher shall be available for
immediate use in ea"ch space occupied by the officers and crew, but the
total number provided for these spaces need not exceed six.
In all vessels which use oil fuel, in addition to the water service to