POWER-HULK BLOWN UP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14699, 6 December 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

POWER-HULK BLOWN UP.

AUCKLAND, November 10. The powder-hull: in which tlio Auckland reserve supply of explosives is kept, out of harm's way in the harbour off Tamuki, was blown to fragments about 1.15 p.m. to-day. Tho explosion was terrific, being heard for miles, and causing many broken windows for a great distance, both around the harbour frontage and inland.

There was cnly one vessel in the vicinity at the time—the Flora—and she had an unpleasant experience. She was passing within about 100 yards of the hull; when it exploded, and the, effect upon her crew was stunning. When tho smoko dispersed not a vestige of the powder hulk remained save a few bits of drifting wreckage.

When tho first news reached town it was stated that the custodian of the hulk, John Finch, and his wife Were believed to have been blown up. This, however, turned out to be incorrect. Finch turned up in town, and provided a representative of the Herald with a sensational story.

About 6 a.m. to-day Finch was horrified to find that the hulk, which contained the comparatively small quantity of 20 tons or eo of gelignite and other explosives, was on fire aft. He and his wife, realising the fearful position in. which they were placed—isolated on a. burning powder magazine, with no moans of at° trading attention,—were at. their wits' ends to know what to do. The hulk was built of timber, grown highly inflammable through age. and the flames quickly spread. The fir.4 thought of (he man and his wifo was to escavw from their peril in the boat that was fortunatelv available. A sense of duty and responsibility, however: overcame, that temptation., and the plucky pair resolved to try to suppress the oull'ieak and avert the otherwise inevitable destruction of the hulk and other cargo.

The unequal contest went on for hours. Then Finch made his wife enter the boat, and. having assisted to lower it and got her safely away from the hulk's side, lie courageously returned to his task. It was hopeless, however, from the first, and finally, as Hie fire began to creep steadily towards the danger zone, he deemed discretion to he the better part of valour. Thereupon Finch dived overboard, leaving the hulk to its fate, and struck out for the boat, which he managed to gain. His wife was so utterly exhausted, however, as to bo unable to haul him in.