Spontaneous Combustion Believed Cause Of Narkunda Disaster

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1939, Page 5

Spontaneous Combustion Believed Cause Of Narkunda Disaster

LONDON, July 17. It now transpires that four members of the crew of the P. and O. liner Narkunda, en route from London to Sydney, were killed and 27 were injured as the result of the explosion, following a fire, in No. 6 hold, says a message from Colombo. - L. Hall, a bell-boy, who was reported to have died, was later found among the injured in the hospital. ■The second officer, J. N. Sinclair, stated in evidence that when Ik: went on deck there was an explosion. It is stated that spontaneous combustion is the most likely cause of the explosion. It is believed something in the cargo fermented, emitting gas, which ignited. Smoke was seen an hour and a half before the explosion, entirely disposing of the bomb theory. The funeral of the four men killed took place this morning. One of the victims, Searle, was to have married a stewardess, Miss Meace, upon the ship’s return to England.

Bomb Suspicions Discounted

(Received 2.30 p.m.) COLOMBO, July 16. The fifth victim of the Narkunda explosion, L. Hall, was a bell-boy. Those injured include G. Bloxham, tourist class chief steward; C; Terry, and C. Parrel, assistant-stewards. The remainder are Goanese, and they are suffering mainly from severe burns. The explosion was terrific. Two members of the crew were hurled 35 feet across the deck. One was picked up dead, and the other was unrecognisable. He later succumbed.

The tragedy occurred while firefighters were assembled at the after hatch, in which the Ceylon mails were stored. The port doctor was leaving the liner after his customary inspection, but was recalled, and attended to the victims. The police discount a rumour that a bomb had been discovered. Officials of the P. and O. Line in London said that if a bomb was responsible the explosion would have occurred first and been followed by a fire, but the reverse was the case. “We are completely at a loss to explain the mystery,” added one official. It is hoped that the Narkunda will sail for Australia on Monday.