In Joseph Conrad's Youth: A Narrative, set in 1876, a 400-ton barque ship, the Judea, is sent to Java Head to transport 600 tons of coal. Although various delays occur during its journey, the coal it is carrying spontaneously combusts while off the coast of Western Australia. The crew attempt to smother the fire, unsuccessfully. Then attempt to flood the fire, but this is also unsuccessful. Finally, the gases in the hull explode and blow up the deck, and the crew hail a steamer to tow them to an intervening location. However, during their towing, the speed of the steamer's ship cause the fire currently present on the Judea to smoulder into flames, which the narrator describes thusly:
The speed of the towing had fanned the smoldering destruction. A blue gleam appeared forward, shining below the wreck of the deck. It wavered in patches, it seemed to stir and creep like the light of a glowworm
My questions:
Given the amount of fuel and material of the ship available, is it possible that a blue fire of 2300-3000 degrees Celsius (from a quick Google search), could be produced within the hull of the Judea?
Or is it the case that due to the nature of coal gas, a lower temperature than aforementioned need only be met for flames to appear blue, similar to how the flames of a gas stove appear blue?
Additional information, if helpful:
At its last port to Java Head, the Judea had been recalked and copper sheathed before embarking on the last stretch toward Java Head. The Judea explodes and is towed at night.