EXPLOSION ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7484, 25 February 1885, Page 5

EXPLOSION ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY.

Shortly after 9 o'clock on the evening of Jan. 2 a terrific explosion occurred on the Metropolitan Underground Railway, in the tunnel between King's Cross and Gower Street stations. Two trains were passing through at the same time, and the concussion broke the windows and extinguished ■ ■all the lights. The reverberations of the explosion were heard far along the line, and the Gas at Gower Street Station was entirely blown out. The shock was also felt along the Euston road from King's Cross to Gdwer street; and many of the inhabitants of the houses ran out in great alarm to ascertain the cause. A number of railway employees and police at once entered the tunnel. From the appearance of the tunnel the search was at first concentrated on a part about midway between the two stations, where the discoloured appearance of the arches and . brickwork gave rise to suspicions that it was at that part the explosion occurred. On a strict search being made of the ground, it was'discovered that a part appeared to be indented, and the mould blown up around, and on searching in this some pieces of metal were found. It was thenascertained that a deliberate attempt had been made with some nitro-glycerine explosives—probably dynamite—to damage not only the line, but to blow up any train that might be passing, regardless of the cruel suffering to unoffending passengers, or even the loss of life, which might be caused. That the material employed was some nitro-glycerine compound there cannot be any doubt, as its effects, such as they are, correspond almost exactly with what happened at Praed street and Westminster, though in a less degree, some fourteen months ago. The time of the explosion must have been arranged with some ingenuity, for when it occurred two trains were passing each other at the very spot. One left Aidgate at 8.53 for Hammersmith,'and the other was on its way from Edgware road to the Mansion House, via, Aldgate. Both were pretty fully occupied. Suddenly, when the trains were about half-way past each other, the explosion took place, and, as can be imagined, caused the utmost consternation among the passengers. All th e lights in the trains were extinguishe 1, the glass was blown out of the window frames and scattered about, cutting several persons about the head and face, and some of the woodwork of the doors was splintered. The passengers shrieked, especially those who had been cut, and could see nothing in the intense darkness which prevailed until the trains arrived at Gower street and King's Cross stations respectively, for even the signal, box lights and the few jets which here and there shine through the.gloom of the tunnel were all extinguished. Subsequent examination showed that the explosive matter must have been nearer the north, side of the tunnel than the south; but, notwithstanding this, the train which was on iifs way to Hammersmith, on the opposite line of rails, appears to have suffered most. It is also a curious coincidence that, just as in the Praed street outrage, it was the third-class carriages which were most injured, so on this occasion these vehicles also seem to have borne the brunt of ."damage." Fortunately, the permanent » way was undisturbed, and^-BO.injury came upon the locomotive, so , that the comparatively short distance between where the explosion occurred and Gower street Station was soon traversed. The effects had been felt on the platforms some moments before the train arrived. There the gas lights were nearly all blown out, and several people who were waiting for trains, as'well as porters and other officials of the railway, were thrown off their feet. None, however, were injured. When the train drew up.all the passengers alighted. Some of them were in a fainting condition, more from fright than actual injuries, and were taken in cabs to their homes. A lady was seriously cut about the face, but was also able to be taken home, and two or three gentlemen who had received flesh wounds by bits of glass preferred also to proceed to their residences in place of going to the University Hospital. Practically no surgical aid was required on the spot at aH —a result which could hardly have been, expected considering the force of the explosion. The other train suffered less damage, but in it also many persons received several slight cuts from broken glass. An idea of the force of the explosion may be gathered from the fact that a signal box about 200 yards from the scene was completed wrecked, and the signalman stunned, but he escaped serious injury. The clock in his cabin stopped also exactly at 9.14 p.m., so that the time of the explosion has been ascertained beyond all doubt. .