AN EXPLOSION

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1937, Page 5

AN EXPLOSION

HITS lI.MS. HUNTER - OFF SPANISH COAST. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, May 13. The British Admiralty officially an-i nounees that an explosion occurred at tlie destroyer Hunter’s waterline, while she was on patrol for a non-in-tervention purpose. The Admiralty added the cause is at present unknown. A mysterious explosion hadlv damaged the bows of tlie British destroyer Hunter, five miles from Almeria.

The casualties are eight killed, and twenty-four injured. The evidence does not confirm earlier reports that the Hunter which was engaged in the non-intervention patrol, was damaged by a bomb from an insurgent plane. It is believed tliat the mishap was due to ii floating mine or an internal explosion. The Spanish Government rushed the Jaime Priniero, the destroyer, Lazagaalso aeroplanes, to. the scene. The Hunter was taken, in tow by the Lazaga? and reached Aimeria,, where, the injured were admitted, to hospital, v The British United Press sia says' thaf the, British destrqy.gr Arethusu is reported to be . steaming full speed to Almeria from Barcelona, and is expected to arrive in the morning. The destroyer Hyperion is already on the spot, and the flotillaleader Hardy, is expected to arrive there at midnight. ; A Valencia official ; Communique states that the Hifnter was torpedoed at 2.35 by an unknown warship. Nine were killed. A VALENCIA REPORT. PARTS, May 14. The Havas Agency’s Valencia correspondent says: The Hunter’s hull shows marks where some projectile went right through. AN EXTERNAL EXPLOSION. LONDON. May 14. The Madrid correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says: “Mr' FT. C. Brooks, British Consul at Alicante, has oeen ordered to proceed to Almeria and there interview the destroyer Hunter’s commander, Lieutenant Commander Scurfield and report direct to the Foreign Office at London.” The Valencia correspondent of “The Times” says: . A preliminary examination of the destroyer Hunter, makes it certain that the explosion was due to some external cause. NO LIGHT YET. (Received this day at 12 noon). LONDON, May 14. A message from Valencia says no light has yet been thrown upon the Hunter explosion. The hole in the hull has been patched to permit the vessel to be towed to Gibraltar for expert examination.