NAVAL DISASTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1482, 16 June 1905, Page 2

NAVAL DISASTERS.

A GUN ACCIDENT. WHY. SUBMARINE 8 WENT DOWN

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 9.40 p.m., June 15. London, June 15. At gun practice off Tetuan a six-inch shell exploded inside a gun aboard the battleship Magnificent, owing to a defect of the breech. Eleven on board were seriously and seven slightly wounded, and were landed at Gibraltar. They include Gunnery Lieutenant Frederick C. Halahon, of the Victorious, who was umpire ; Lieutenants Henry G. Bevan and Kenneth Stoabart, and Midshipman Edward W. Sinclair —all belonging to the Magnificent. There are indications that an accident or mistake in manipulating the reverse caused submarine 8 to submerge, leading to disaster.

VARYING OPINIONS AS TO THE CAUSE.

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association; —Copyright. Received 11.35 p.m., June 15. London, June 15. There is a concensus of opinion that the disaster on the Magnificent was not due to the bursting of a gun or shell, but to too hasty opening of a breech after a missfire. Seaman Seales; who opened the breech, was almost disembowelled. Gunnery Lieutenant Halahen, who was behind him, was dangerously wounded. Lieutenant Bevan and Midshipman Sinclair were severely burned. It is suspected that a faint spark ignited the cordite. One 'account states that a cartridge burst. The Daily Telegraph mentions that the mishap was due to a powder charge.