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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 926, 25 January 1871, Page 3

The Africuii mail steamer London, which has arrived at Liverpool, brings in telligeuee of the f< diowiug disaster on the West Coast of Africa : —The brig Loco motive, while entering the Opobo, struck on the bar ; and although every effort was made by the crew, alt hopes of saving the vessel were given up. After the crew had 101 l tiie wreck, the natives in the vicinity boarded the Locomotive in groat numbers, and took possession. They then commenced to strip the vessel. The hatches were broken open, and a regular system of piuader commenced. Oue portion of the cargo, consisting of gunpowder, was being appropriated by the natives, when, by some means, the powder became ignited, and an explosion of a most fearful character occurred. The vessel was literally blown to atoms, and the unfortunate plunderers shared the same fate. How many natives perished was unknown, but the number -1, the time the steamer left Bonny was stated to be upwards of fifty, besides those who were in caves alongside the wreck.