The Mauaponri Disaster.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1647, 1 March 1886, Page 4

The Mauaponri Disaster.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.. . (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Uisborne, Saturday. At the inquest on the body of Lloyd, the seaman, yesterday afternoon, a sea-" inan named Tetersen and Dr Polled were the only- witnesses. Peterson that he went below ,with 16; others, and found the place full of 'smoke but* no flame. . While below he vomited, and .all' coughed' severely. They had to 'go on deck at short intervals for air. He was below from 3.15 till 5.45, with intervals. He became unconscious' soon affer the ' work was over. The other men were already; sick when he came on deck the last time. The witness said the 'acid must .have got in the hold at Auckland. The third mate was in charge of the fqrehoUJ. Dr Pollen stated that death was caused by asphyxia, caused tbrouch the capillary tubes above the lungs becoming blocked ' thorough inflammation caused by inhalation of the fumes of nitric acid, which was a potent irritant of the internal parts of the body with which it came in contact. A moistened sponge over the mouth and nose would, have been a partial preventative but not wholly.The captain had told him that- the smell being peculiar; he had directed.. that the men should wear a covering; of cotton waste over the mouth, which some did and others did not. The jury, after a long determination, refused to give a verdict until farther evidence as to stowing acid, and whether there is any palpable negligence on the part of anyone. The inquiry was adjournod till the return of the vessel from Melbourne.