SHOCKING EXPLOSION

Evening Star, Issue 16231, 28 September 1916, Page 6

SHOCKING EXPLOSION

IN WATRUNA'S HOLD

SIN MEN KILLED OUTRIGHT

Pre&a Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association.

SYDNEY,' September 27. By an explosion on the, Union Company's steamer Wairana, which was discharging cargo at the Margaret, street wharf, six men were killed and three injured.

Those killed wero: John Lewis, Robert & Gamble, A. Scotsman, Samuel Clarke, David Alexander, and Owen Vag"ers. One of the injured men is not expected to survive.

.'There were 18 men working in the hold. and they were hurled in all directions. The firemen had the greatest difficulty in rescuing them owing to tho smoke and fumes. Tho men killed wero terribly mutilated. One was blown to pieces, and anoth.tr was unrecognisable. The cargo in the forehokl included cases of benzine, a leaking from which is supposed to have been tho cause ot" the explosion.

All tho local shipwrights sav the explosion occurred in the lower forehold, and a fire followed. It is supposed that a light came m contact with fumes from tho benzine, although tho discharge of the latter cargo was completed dast evening The lire was subdued after an hour's ■work. Tho damage to the steamer is not eenous, but it will delay her departure