NORTH SHORE AQUATIC CARNIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10955, 9 January 1899, Page 3

NORTH SHORE AQUATIC CARNIVAL.

BLOWING UP OF THE ENTERPRISE. Ox Saturday afternoon the grand finalo of the proceedings in connection with tho North Shore Native Regatta and aquatic carnival was given, the entertainment being tho mowing up of tho old paddle steamer Enterprise. Many of our readers doubtless remember tho great importance attached to the trips of I tie atcaner from and to tho Thames and Auckland, and the feelings of some of tho old residents, of this city who wero present at Saturday's demonstration of tho destructive power of guueotton must havo been tinged with regret as they witnessed the blowing up of what was years ago a very useful craft, and which was ruthlessly destroyed to make an Auckland holiday.. As a spectacular attraction, the explosion was a distinct suecfiss. 'l'ho Enterprise lay off Cheltenham Beacn, with forward and stern anohors out, while around, tho channel was dotted with ferry boats, yachts, launches, pinnaces, and scows, crowdod with interested spectators, the ferry steamers Eagle and Osprey carrying very large complements of passengers. The North Head, Cheltenham Beach, and tho adjacent sand dunes, Mount Victoria, and every hill commanding a view of the chanrfcl were dotted with hundreds of persons. The charge used in the destruction of the boat was about 2001b of guncotton, the charge having been placed in position and the electrical connections made by the members of the Torpedo or No. 2 Scrvico Corps, under the personal superintendence of Captain Coyle, R.E. Iho explosion was advertised to take place at three o'clock, but It was long—nearly an hour and alialf—after that hour that tho shell •/! the Enterprise was hurled skywards. Two small explosions took place before _ tho principal one, these being given as preliminary signals before the filing by Mrs. Coylc of the larger charge. After the lapse cf time stated the boats in the immediate vicinity of the doomed hulk were removed to places of safety, there was a momentary pause, when bang! there was a sullen roar. A huge column of foam-flecked water shot upward to a height of about 150fl: tho vessel was literally blown into splinters, tire pieces being carried aloft in a darkening mass. Soon foam, spray, splinters, and harder materials fell, covering tho frothy water with debris for a distance of iOOydfi; the disturbed water beoamo calm again, and the old paddle steamer Enterprise was no more.