Newport News, VA ocean liner Segovia fire, Dec 1931

Posted August 13th, 2008 by Tim Taugher

New $3,525,000 Liner Destroyed At Newport News.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 20 (AP). - The United States Mail Steamship Company liner Segovia, nearing completion at the Newport News Ship Building and Drydock Company, burned at its berth in the yard Sunday. The Segovia was christened Aug. 15 by Mrs. Hoover.

Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the interior of the ship and caused it to turn over on its side while city and shipyard firemen and fire tugs strove to subdue the flames.

The Segovia was to have been commissioned Jan. 30 after a trial trip about the middle of the month. It was being built here at a cost of $3,525,000. The company which owned it is a subsidiary of the United Fruit Company.

Its sister ship, Talamanca, also sponsored by Mrs. Hoover, recently was put into service.

Another sister ship, the Chiriqui, was docked at the next pier.

One fireman was seriously burned and several received minor injuries in fighting the blaze.

The Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX 12 Dec 1931
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Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!

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