EXPLOSIONS ON TANKER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 June 1932, Page 7

EXPLOSIONS ON TANKER

DISASTER AT MONTREAL 2;t KILLED AND G. 5 INJURED DRY DOCK WRECKED (United Press Association—By Eloctrio Telegraph—Copyright) MONTREAL, 17th June. A series o 7 explosions ripped the oil tanker Cyinbcline wide open early on Friday. Tlio killed are estimated to total twenty men. Seven hours later only three bodies had been recovered, the heat .from the blazing oil in the hold of the vessel preventing search. Thirty-five were injured, many seriously. Tho explosions were apparently set off by a. red hot rivet used by workmen of Canadian Vickers Limited, operators of tho dry dock in the which the Cymbelino was being repaired. One of the fuel tanks exploded when nearly a hundred men were working in and about flic vessel, besides a crew of thirty sleeping in the forepart of the vessel. An hour later, while firemen woro pouring water on -tho fierce blaze, a second and worse blast occurred. Three firemen are known to have lost their lives, and Raoul Gauthier, lire chief, is missing, and believed to be dead. The Cymbelino was being used for carrying. gasoline from Fort Arthur, Texas. The tanks were empty, but perhaps contained explosive fumes. There was a substantial quantity of oil in the fuel tanks. The first explosion ripped the forward part wide open. Tho majority of the crew, many with their clothes burning, were thrown into the water where they were rescued. The explosions entirely wrecked the dry dock, which was blown apart, one section floating away. The first explosion was in fact two detonations close together. Between them and the second explosion were a Lumber of smaller blasts. The Cymbeline was registered as 3700 tons. Later. Tho dead number 23. Ten bodies have been recovered. Tho injured number 63, including 15 firemen. FIVE FIREMEN KILLED (Received 18th June, 9.25 a.in.) MONTREAL, 17th June. Gauthier and four other firemen were among those killed, while leading a search for the dead.