The case is rare, but it is far from unknown.

Unless the cotton is perfectly dry when it is shipped, its confinement in a damp or ill-ventilated hold will sometimes cause it to ignite; and I have no doubt it is this that has brought about our misfortune." "But after all," I said, "the cause matters very little.

Is there no remedy?
Is there nothing to be done ?" "Nothing; Mr.Kazallon," he said.

"As I told you before, we have adopted the only possible measure within our power to check the fire.

At one time I thought of knocking a hole in the ship's timbers just on her waterline, and letting in just as much water as the pumps could afterwards get rid of again; but we found the combustion was right in the middle of the cargo and that we should be obliged to flood the entire hold before we could get at the right place.