THE GUNCOTTON EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 103, 2 May 1891, Page 2

THE GUNCOTTON EXPLOSION.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

(Bf TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. The Commissioners appointed to inquire into the cause of the guncotton explosion at Shelly Bay find " That it was due to overheating a loaded primer, and in tho process of soldering the lead." In a confidential report attached the Commissioners find :— On the morning of the accident there was one primer being soldered by Ross and Cornwall at a bench, two without lids, near a small forgfe, and five with the lids soldered on standing on a bench on the right of Ross and Cornwall. When the work of soldering tho lid of one of the primers was about two-thirds completed the solderingiron was borrowed from Ross, and returned in a few minutes. Ross must consequently have reheated the soldering-iron to complete the closing up of the primer, and it was in applying tho iron to the primer that sufficient heat was communicated to

IGNITE THE DRY GUNCOTTON contained in it. Although Cornwall gave evidence that he must have felt any undue heat, yet the Commissioners are of opinion that the overheated surface was of small extent, and nearer to the dry gun-cotton than to his hands. The Commissioners traced the several esrplosions to the following causes:—When the heated gases and flames from primer tin No. 1 reached the detonator the remainder of the gun-cotton below the dry primer detonated. The two primers which were standing uncovered near tho small forge were ignited, and in their turn when the heated gaee3 reached the detonators thoy dotonated, and lastly, the primer tins on the bench hear the door ignited and detonated. With regardto.tVo procedure of Captain Falconer in preparing dry primers for experimental charges, the COMMISSIONERS COULD NOT | ACQUIESCE in the method adopted. The Commissioners consider that the application of solder to eases containing dry guncotton is attended with very great danger, and individuals employed in submarine mining Bhould forbid those under their orders to apply heat in any form to cases containing guncotbon wot or dry. The storage of live charges fitted with detonators in the mine store is against the recognised rules, particularly when the simple and ordinary precaution of insulating the ends of the lead wires from the detonators Is not observed. Sbill more irregular is the permitting of primer tins containing charges ot dry guncotton to be taken iuto the smith's shop unprotected by cover ! WHEN A FORGE WAS ALIGHT. Long custom and practical familiarity with guncotton appear to have assured Captain tialconer that there was no danger to be by the above system of procedure? Ib appeared from the evidence of Captairi Falconer that he had never been made acquainted with the existence of the War Office's confidential memorandum of 26/386. Captain Powell stated that this circular jrai brought up with others by Captain Ealconer in June, 1889, and evidencereceived at Auckland from P. 0. Grant, Corporal ißoyle, and Torpedomen Barclay andlnglia tend to substantiate this, bub there is no evidence to show how these circulars were obtained by Captain Falconer from the Defence Office, and Captain Falconer denies having brought any circulars ab all with him when visiting Auckland in 1889. The Commissioners also observed on visiting Shelly Bay that cases containing guncotton supplied for the filling of mines WERE NOT UNDER COVER. Also that the cases in which guncotbon cuttings from Blabs and quadrants for filling mine 3 were also open, exposed to rain and sun. Suitable posts for guncotton and for storage of euch material are desirable. They also gathered from the evidence that periodical testing of mines and spare guncotton had not been regularly' carried out. However, the cases froni which the slabs of guncotton were taken for filling mines wore previously weighed, bub no returns of this or testing have ever been recorded apparently at Shelly Bay or other submarine mines station. The above remissions point to the necessity;of thore not only being a commanding bfficer to each of the submarine mining stations, but also to the necessity of " \ A PERMANENT RESPONSIBLE HEAD who should be answerable for such returns, nob only iv connection with torpedo stores, but all warlike materials in the colony, in order that remissions and departures from theregulationsmaybeirnmediatelycheeked. In conclusion, the Commissioners state they found the Shelly Bay submarine establishment in creditable order. Captain Falconer is familiar with the details of submarine mining, and appears to be a steady, zealous and intelligent official. In submarine mining work of every description, whether mines or experimental charges are being prepared for active service or otherwise, no precautions as laid down from time to time by the War Office should be neglected, and sure steps should be taken by the Defence Office that such memos are issued as orders to commanding officers, to be by them copied, noted, and returned. \ This would ensure a knowledge on the part of the commanding officers, and a punctual adherence to them.