Japanese Battleship on Fire.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7925, 14 September 1905, Page 3

Japanese Battleship on Fire.

WE MAGAZINE EXPLODES. Ship Sinks la Shallow Water Hea?y Casualties (Received Sept. 15, 9.23 p.m.) TOKIO. Sept, 12. chored at Sasebo, caught "fire a$ Tho battleship Mikasa, while anmidnight ami sank at 2.30 on Monday morning. While eflorts were being made tc extinguish the flames, the aft magazine explode*!, blowing a hole in the port side below the water line. The casualties were 599, including Admiral Togo was not aboard, rescuers seni from other ships. The disaster has creaated a profound sensation ami gloom amongst all classes in Japan. Hie fire originated at the base of the Mikasa's mainmast, and it is H;lieved was due to an overcharge of electricity. The magazine exploded within art hour. There is some prospect of raising and repairing the ship, inasmuch as she sank in shallow water. 'l+io battleships Shikishima. Asahi. the torpedo gunboat Satsu, and the destroyers Mtirakumo and Kasumi, together with four auxiliary cruisers, sent parties to assist the crew.

AN EXPLOSION' NOT AXTICI I'ATEn.

(Received Sept. 13. 10.10 p.m.) LO XIIO IS. Sept. I.'!. The Times Tokio 'correspondent states that file are known to have been killed, while |531 are missing ain! ,*sl:j wounded.

The Telegraph stated that the fire started at 20, minutes after midn ght. The officers' casualties are :—One killed. live missing, 11 wounded. The Mikasa had only just left for a certain destination.

The danger of a final explosion was not apprehended, otherwise more would have bivn saved.