FATAL ERROR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 237, 6 October 1891, Page 8

FATAL ERROR.

Launch of the Pensacola Blown Uγ, A New York • World' correspondent writes as follows from Callao, Peru :—The famous old man-of-war Pensacola of the United States navy has just arrived here after an exciting run along the Chilean coast, and I send you the first news of a thrilling accident at Africa, Chili, by which five sailors of the Pensacola lost their lives. The steam I arm eh belonging to tho man-of war was blown up in the harbour of Africa by the Chilian torpedo boat Condell and every rutin on board killed. The attack took piace on the evening of June Ist. The Condell, one of Balmaceda's torpedo cruisers from Port Santiago, was on the lookout for ships of the insurgent?. She titola into the harbour of Africa ab about 7 p.m. There was a heavy fog and objects 100 yards distant could nob bo discerned with any distinctness. The stoam launch had left the Pensacola on the regular evening trip to shore, and was making her way slowly, when suddenly those on the man-of-war saw the little boat lifted completely out of the water, as if a subterranean monster had risen up undor the launch and tosaed it in the air. There was a dull echo, a hait'-smotherod explosion, and then wreckage was scattered in every direction. INobasound oE a human voice was hoard. The quiet that followed told plainly that the five men aboard the launch had either been killed outright or so maimed as to be unable to make their condition known. The search light of the Pensacola was brought into play, and ab the same instant orders were given to lower the boats. When the broad rays ot tho Hash light make their way through the great curtain of the fog the Condell was discovered only a short distance avray. Tho Chilian cruiser had mistaken the launch for an insurgent boat and had used a torpedo with doadly eiiect. There was intense excitemonb aboard both vessels for the next twenty minutes. Signaling continued between tho man-of-war and the torpedo boat for soma time, and whon the situation of affairs became known on tho Condell her commander dipped his colours and sent the chief officer aboavd the Pensacola, It then became known the explosion of the toi-pedo was a stupid blunder on the part of the cruiser. Such apologies as could be offered wero made, but the feeling among the comrades of the dead sailors was very bitter. Tho bodies wore not recovered. The Pensacola proceeded to Iquiquo, and on June 9th was again exposed to great danger. Balmaceda's cruisers Lynch and Condoll pursued the insurgent ship Aconcagua, and would have captured her had not the Esmeralda just then hove in sight. She finally put the Government vessels to flight, bub the engagement was hob while it lasted. Shot and shell wero flying everywhere. On board the Pensacola men crowded the rigging to ccc asmuch as possible of the fighb*