FATE OF THE PRINCESS IRENE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2475, 31 May 1915, Page 6

FATE OF THE PRINCESS IRENE

ACCOUNTS OF THE EXPLOSION

AN APPALLING SPECTACLE

London, May 28. Aneye-witness of the mine-carrier I'rincoss Irene, which blew up off Sheerness with terrible loss of life, states that the wreckage resembled matchwood. He saw one of the men swimniing with a lifebelt,' and thought he was a survivor, but found that he belonged to another skip. The man had jumped overboard in the belief that his own ship was doomed. A seaman who was on the deck of a neighbouring ship_ narrates that he saw a huge flame springing from the deck or the Princess Ireho, followed by smoke. Then came a series of crackling explosions, followed b,v a great explosion. A great volume of smoke and coal dust rose into the air, and the I rincess Irene simply melted away. The explosion seemed to stun everyone for a few moments; then boat crews were ordered to pick up survivors. Two men working on neighbouring barges were saved, but several others were killed, including the crew of five men belonging to a harbour launch which was lying alongside the Princesß Irene. DEATH-ROLL 270. (Rec. May 31, 0.5 a.m.) , , London, May 29. It is estimated that the Princess Irene's death-roll will reach 270. It is supposed that the cause of the explosion was similar to that which destroyed H.M.S. Bulwark (a supposed accident in the ammunition room). The High Commissioner reports that 23 officers were killed in the explosion on board the Princess Irene.