A TILLER ACCIDENT AT PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9190, 20 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A TILLER ACCIDENT AT PLYMOUTH.

At Forb Bovisand, near Plymouth, on August 22, two gunners met their death in a shocking manner, and serious injuries were inflicted on two men belonging to No. 9 battery, Ist brigade, North-Irish Division, Royal Artillery. The competitive shooting of the battery had been arranged for August 22, and 42 men, under command of Major George, Captain Russell, and Lieutenant Parry, went to Bovisand in a steam launch and proceeded to the practice battery, in which two Armstrong guns are mounted. It was one of these, a 40-pound breechloader, which was to have been used for the competition. Previous to the competitive shooting three trial shots are allowed. The competitors have the privilege of choosing the gunners to fire these preliminary shots, and Gunner Quigg, who was elected to hro the trial shots, had the reputation of being a very clever marksman. The gun detachment consisted of tho following:—No. 1, Gunner Quigg (firing the trial shot); No. 2, Gunner Ormsby ; No. 3, Gunner M Coy ; No. 4, Gunner Tierncy ; No. Gunner Murphy. The remainder of tho men wero drawn up to the right rear of tho G'un, along the front of an artillery shed. The weapon was loaded in the customary fashion, the charge consisting of about five pounds powder and the 40-pound shell. The gun is a side-closing breechloader —that is to say, after the charge has been put in, the breech-block is inserted in the side, and a screw at the end of the weapon is screwed up to keep the block fixed in its place. It was the duty of Nos. 4 and 5 to do this. When the gun was loaded, and everything in readiness, Major George gave the word to tire. At this moment the attention of all present was directed to the sea, in order to observe the effect of the shot. The gun was fired, and the shell fell into the sea, about one hundred yards off but at the same instant the whole of those assembled about the cannon were enveloped in dense smoke and gas. For a few moments it was impossible to tell what had happened. Sergeant-Major Thompson was about eight paces to the rear of the weapon, and when the atmosphere had cleared somewhat he observed that Quigg had been blown forty feet away in the direction of the artillery shed, and was in the act of falling down. It was then apparent that the breech-piece had been blown from the gun. The next man to fall was Gunner M'Atamney, one of the battery signallers, who was standing with a flag in his hand close to the shed. The flying mass of metal smashed a large hole in the front of the shed. The ricochet of the breech-piece at this point caused it to bound another three yards, when it struck Gunner Young, another spectator, inflicting serious injuries, and then sank in to the ground in the centre of the road. Quigg never moved after he fell, and must have expired at once. When the gun was fired he was standing with his left side next to it, and very close to the breech-piece, receiving the full force of the discharge. His left side was carried away, his left arm taken off from the shoulder, a portion of the lower part of the arm being blown to fragments, whilst his left hand was found by his side, having apparently been cut clean off by the breech-piece. M'Atamney had his left leg completely shattered by the force with which it was struck. Surgeon Morgan, medical staff, who was present, at once did all that was possible for the poor fellow. After lingering for half -an - hour, however, he expired. Young had been struck in both legs above the knee by the breech-block, and received serious contusions. Murphy, as one of the firing party, was close to the gun, and received the whole force of the discharge of powder and cas, the result being that his face, neck, and right arm were fearfully burnt and scorched. Slight injuries were received by two others. M'Coy was cut across the eye, while Tierncy was burnt on he hand and arm. The disaster, of course, put a stop to the competitive shooting for the day. The deceased gunners were both natives of Ireland. Quigg had been five years in the service and had once been a non-com missioned officer. His age was bout 25. M'Atamney has seen two years' service, and was about 21 years old. He had been lately going through a course of army signalling at the citadel. Both were unmarried men. Sixteen years ago a gunnery accident of a similar description, and involving loss of life, occurred at Bovisand to men of the same regiment who were tiring blank cartridge.