DISASTROUS EXPLOSION AT CALAIS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2567, 22 December 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

DISASTROUS EXPLOSION AT CALAIS.

TRLEORArrriNa on Wednesday morning October 17 til a correspondent states that great constellation has been caused at Calais by a fearful explosion, which took place in the docks on Tuesday night, when a petroleum ship was blown up. The vessel was the Ville de Calais, 1,800 tons, a tank steamer which had been specially constructed for the petroleum trade. !she was owned by a Calais firm, and traded between Calais and New York. She arrived at Calais about eieht or nine days ago, and discharged her cargo. The explosion was so terrible that it was heard for many miles, even at Dover, 22 miles across the Channel. The supposed cause of the explosion was the accidental ignition of the gas which had generated in the hold of the vessel from the petroleum. An eye-witness has given the following account :—He says that at nine o'clock the town was thrown into a state of the greatest excitement by a terrific explosion, which shook the whole town, and was followed by the smashing of glass in all directions. In the houses crockeryware and other articles were thrown down and smashed. The people quite panicstricken, rushed into the streets, and were directed by a lurid glare in the direction of the docks, where a fearful scene of havoc presented itself. The deck of the vessel had been blown out, and part of the sides had disappeared, the remainder of the hull being ail in flames. The vessel was lying in the upper dock, audextensive damage was done toother ship ing. The stern of a tug lying near was blown off. It is feared that the loss of life is very great. Portions of about a dozen bodies have up to the present been found lying about the quays, which presented a sickening sight, arms, legs, and heads of men being scattered about in horrible confusion. An awe-stricken crowd soon collected on the quays and watched the efforts which were made by the Pompiers to prevent the flames spreading to other shipping. Notwithstanding their efforts, the vessel continued to burn fiercely for some hours, emitting deuse columns of smoke. When the Dover mail packet left at one o'clock yesterday morning the flames had not been extinguished, and it seemed probable that the fire would have to be left to burn itself out. Every precaution was taken to prevent the flames spreeding. The crew of the mail packet at Calais state that the explosion was a fearful one. All the gas lamps round the quays and for a considerable distance into the town were shattered, but the lurid glare from the burning vessel brilliantly illuminated the town.