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Damaged and Unsound Meats — —
Meats found unsound (other than diseased) on arrival in this country and detained and
subsequently destroyed are listed in Table II. The cause of condemnation may be any one of
many conditions, for example, mould, decomposition, brine damage, vermin damage, etc. An
example of one such occurrence was a fire on board the "Corinthic" homeward bound from New
Zealand which broke out in the ship's lower hold while discharging in King George V Dock. The
subsequent action necessary to ensure that no fire or smoke-damaged meat was allowed forward
was the subject of a report which is given in precis below.
s/s "Corinthic" commenced discharge on Tuesday, 17th July. When No. 1 hold was reopened
on the 23rd July to continue discharge of the lower hold, the meat was found to be on
fire in the middle of the hatch square. The fire brigade was called to extinguish the fire and
clear the smoke.
In the space concerned there were 13,765 lamb and sheep carcases and 1,681 quarters of beef.
The damage to the meat was of three kinds — burnt, water-damagedand smoke tainted.
The inspector decided on three courses of action.
(1) Carcases so fire damaged as to render them totally unfit to go direct to contractor for
destruction,
(2) Carcases slightly damaged to go to dock store for ozone treatment and re-conditioning.
(3) All other smoke-damaged carcases to go forward to London Cold Stores for ozone treatment
under supervision of local authority.
As a consequence 5 tons, 7 cwts. of meat were taken direct from the ship for destruction.
2,134 carcases were reconditioned and 12,006 carcases were treatedwith ozone.

* for 'destroyed' read 'dealt with'
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