I am surprised you had not heard of the fire, as it was a major incident. It started about 2230, and within half an hour, I was sending out a distress message that was answered immediately by an American ship called the
Kittaning, and the British oil tanker
Overseas Argonaut. Both ships altered course towards us, but the tanker was closest, and was with us by about 0130, by which time, our boats were swung out and partically lowered with all the passengers and most of the crew in them. On arrival of the tanker, we thanked
Kittaning, and released her to proceed with her voyage. The engineroom was flooded with CO2 gas, and contained the fire, but we continued with hot spots and boundary cooling all the next day, ready to leave at a moment's notice. We developed a list because of all the water that had been pumped aboard to cool the engineroom bulkheads. Panelling was hacked from the passenger accommodation along the engineroom casing to get the water onto the steel casing. Next day, cooking on open fires on the foredeck using wood from the accommation, as the galley was out of action. Everyone, including a number passengers were helping carry freshwater from the tanks in buckets. After we got to Dakar, a number of older American passengers wanted to remain aboard for the repair, but weren't allowed to, so flew home, declaring they would be making further voyages as soon as we were repaired (which they did). One month for repairs and then back to Cape Town without passengers instead of returning to the UK. Cape Town - UK passengers were told that the ship was not in a very tidy state, but came anyway. Full repairs completed in the UK, and after that, I got four months leave during which time I became engaged, and got married shortly after, having our honeymoon voyage aboard. Picture - under tow for Dakar with canvas rigged forward to give us some shade during the daytime. The salvage tug can be seen ahead of us.
Bob