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Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 August 1925, Page 5

TRAGIC END

TO HOLIDAY EXCURSION

EXPLOSION ON STEAMER

HEAVY DEATH ROLL

BY CABLE —CRESS ASSOCIATION- COPY RIGHT

(Received Aug. 80, J O.UU a.m.) VANCOUVER, Aug. .19

The Newport casualties total twentynine dead, two missing and fifty-two dangerously burned. At least fifteen are expected; to die. The explosion occurred while the Mackinac was passing the Newport training station, late on Tuesday, and within a stone’s throw of the naval hospital", otherwise the casualty list would have been trebled. Naval rescue jiarties worked feverishly, to get the passengers off the boat. The accident was caused by the giving - away of a patch placed. on the boiler just before the steamer left. — If enters. NH3VY YORK, Aug. IS. A. telegram from Newport, Rhodo Island, says twenty-three are dead a dozen more .are in a dangerous condition, and another hundred were injured a.s the lesult of an explosion on the steamer Mackinac. Physician® at .the naval hospital said ten more would die before daybreak. While going from Newport to Pawtucket the boilers of the vessel, which carried (577 excursionists, burst. Three firemen arc missing and are believed to be killed. The explosion tore the entire middle section of the boat apart and scalded .the passengers and officers who were near tha engine-room. The fear-era,zed crowd became frantic, anil many jumped into the water. A. distress call was seitt to all battleships and destroyers in the harbour. The naval hospital, where the injured •were taken. resembled a shambles.