THE SYDNEY EXPLOSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8533, 6 April 1891, Page 5

THE SYDNEY EXPLOSION.

HORRIBLE SCENES.

Prtst Association.— l&leqraph.—Copyright.

Sydney, April 4. The stern part of the torpedo cutter -was completely blown away, but the survivors managed to keep afloat with the assistance of the remaining part of the boat.

Sapper Grant, one of the survivors, states that the first mine twice refused to fire, whereupon a new cable was attached to it, which he thinks must have been connected with the mine on board. Sapper Borland deserves great credit for his action towards his comrade Brentnall, who was lying senseless in the remaining part of the boat. Borland kept the boat afloat till Brentnall was rescued, remarking that, if he did not die from the shock, he would not let him die by drowning.

After the explosion, pieces of the dead bodies were seen floating about, and the liver, lungs, and portions of a head were discovered by the survivors while they were in the water waiting for the arrival of the rescue boat. In one case two arms and part of the shoulders with the head almost wrenched off sank before it could be picked up. Colonel de Wolski, who was one of the vice-regal party present, says that so long as men are allowed to fire these hasty charges merely for purposes of public demonstration they must expect the possibility of explosion. The men should not have to run those risks merely to give ladies a pleasant afternoon. Sydney, April 5. As only scattered fragments of flesh were recovered of those killed in the pun cotton disaster it was impossible to identify them, and consequently no inquest was held.

The remains were placed in one offin, and buried to-day in the Waverey Cemetery, in the presence of a trenendous assemblage. His Excellency the Governor and three thousand troops attended the funeral. The injured men are recovering, and though several of them are stone deaf it is hoped the affliction is only temporary.