A SHIP BLOWN UP.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2533, 25 July 1893, Page 1

A SHIP BLOWN UP.

Sidney, July 22. A great sensation was cavst d to-day by an explosion on board the German barque Argo, of 985 tons, which recently arrived from Hamburg. The Argo had discharged her inward cargo, and having taken in about 1450 tons of coal, was on the point of sailing for Valparaiso. The captain was ashore completing hia final arrangements, and the, caw were getting everything in, readiness to depart, when a terrific explosion occurred. The report was heard a considerable distance and there was considerable speculation as to what had really happened. The explosion originated low down among the coals in the fore-hatch, and extqn,dsdi right aft. 'I ho cabin poop \v‘fts bio' srn clean up, and the vrU&te "dock * lo isted bodily, and there is ft gnp of feet in the deck. Iho port buM ‘ was blown half way way Up where it caught, and tno larboard boat was thrown into e water. As the explosion occurred a dense volume of smoke and Jlame arosewith a report like the explosion of a powder magiziite. The chief oltlcor, Mr Arfsten, was thrown with terrific force again;* - ., some object and killed outright. A p also ngor named Chamberlain was thrown overboard, but caught the wreckage of the starboard boat and floated until rescued. Mr Kloplarch, the second officer, and Pfeifer, a sailor, have been taken to the hospital, together with Chamberlain, who lies in a critical condition. The men who wore aloft unfurling sails were shaken off tiio yards. Many of them jumped overboard and wore rescued The fire department wore quickly on the scene, but their extinguishing apparatus was not required. A detachment from the British gunboat Lizard did splendid work on board the wrecked vessel. The explosion was undoubtedly duo to a largo collection of gas, which found vent and was ignited near the galley. The vessel is insured in Hamdnrg but the amount is unknown. The cargo is uninsured*