Serious Gun Accident.

Manawatu Herald, 9 July 1891, Page 2

Serious Gun Accident.

■ « Captain Grenfell of H.M.S. Cordelia, which has been cruising in Fijian waters reports at Sydney that a terrible explosion took place on board on the 29fch June, when the vessel was between Fiji and Noumea. He states jihat he wag standing at the port 'side,' washing "the men engaged at the six inch Armstrong gun, when the explosion took place. The air was filled with fragments of metal, and pieces of the shattered gun went as high as the fore topgallant lift and the royal sheet, both of which were shot away. The explosion burst through the upper deck, and what was known as the left bracket of the gun carriage was blown down on the main deck, severely injuring two men. The whole force seems to have been in board.. As soon as the wreckage was cleared away it was found that two officers and four men had been killed, besides many being injured,

In most cases the poor fellows were blown to pieces. Those killed are Lieutenants Hillyar and Gordon, Gunners Langford and Darwelli t&aman Hill, and a shipboy named Brown. The wounded are Midshipmen Lambert, Ohampian and Moore Artillerymen Healey, Armitage, Barber, and Coomber, Seamen Luks Kingre, Lee, Dicker and Gullick. The gun was examined before the vessel left Sydriey, and pronounced fit for service. Press Association.