THE DANGER OF TORPEDO PRACTICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 170, 22 July 1903, Page 3

THE DANGER OF TORPEDO PRACTICE.

BEBIOU3 DAIUGB TO A WARSHIP. Per Pices a j'O'iation. Received 21, 11.21 p.m.

Sydney, July 21

Asa''3'tional incident "ccirred whi'o the vesse's ■ f the fq'a-lroa -T ere at torpedo practice in Jctvis Bay on The Naval authorities a?e very retfc9u f , but from wh>>.f. little information is available it appears the Royal [Arthur, in stenmiujj past the Wall .too, fired several pract'ee torpedoes at a target the Wallaroo was dragging ~300 yards behind her. [Two torpedos from the fUg>hip's star- : board tube struck the Wallaroo, odo her jort propter, denting the [outer pla'iog, and th 9 feeoi;d doing more eeriom damage. It hit an unprotected pot over the fresh wa r er tank which, lu ki'y, wis fu'l and prevented any krußb. The plating was broken, a hcl 3 , several inch; s square, being mad<\ The heads of both missiles were crumpled up. Collision mats were placed ever the bol°, which was subsequently plugged with wooden wedges.

The Walbro sccompanied tb.3 o*her ves els to Sydnr-y, where sh9 will be docked.

An enquiry is to bo held, also an examination of the Royal Arthur's t rpedo tube, which, it is suggasted, is def ctive.

Up to thi time of tha accident the shooting was very accurate. P< actice torpedoes are not charged, and are fhted with dummy heads. I Received 22 1.20 am. I Sydney, July 21.

I' is s'a'ed that only the outer plate of the Wallaroo was damaged, and that after examination by a diver, and the damage h d been attended to, the I vessel continued the prcctic?.