FATAL EXPLOSION.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4487, 11 November 1909, Page 2

FATAL EXPLOSION.

POWDER HULK BLOWN UP.

CARETAKER AND WIFE KILLED.

Auckland, November 10. About 1.20 this afternoon a terrific explosion took place in the direction of Tamaki. The explosion was heard in town from various points around the city and suburbs. The concussion was severely felt at Devon* port, and it was immediately con* eluded that the Harbour Board’s Powder Hulk, anchored off Tamaki, had been blown up. The Harbour Board’s launch was promptly dispatched to investigate the occurrence. The powder haulk was usually occupied by the caretaker, _ a man named Finch, appointed to this position a week ago, and his wife, who, it is believed, was on board. Mr W. Alder, Inspector of Cruelty to Animals, witnessed the explosion from the top of the rise at St. Helier’s Bay. The signal manat Mount Victoria Station telephoned to the office of the Harbour Board that there had been a big explosion in the direction of where the hulk was lying, and that after the smoke had cleared away he could not see the vessel, although he saw it clearly during the morning. This was confirmed by a later report from Paterangi to the effect that the hulk was blown to pieces and tfeftt the caretaker and his wife were on board at the time.