The burning wreck of the Tainui is seen here from a cliff overlooking Gore Bay, in September 1919. All but one of the crew died attempting to escape the inferno. Wartime shipping constraints had resulted in the Tainui, a wooden, refrigerated, coastal ship, carrying a variety of cargoes. Benzine had been loaded despite the concerns of watersiders that many of the tins were leaking. The captain decided to leave damaged tins behind – but then, because checking the cargo slowed loading, put them into the forehold instead. A pair of metal ploughs were put on top of the tins, even though metal striking metal was known to produce sparks.
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Reference: PAColl-6585-71
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