PORTSMOUTH ROCKED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27443, 17 July 1950, Page 5

PORTSMOUTH ROCKED

Ammunition Barges Explode SECRET INQUIRY OPENS Twenty People Injured NZPA—Copyright Rec. 8 p.m. LONDON, July 15. Twenty people Were injured when eight 50-foot ammunition barges blew up at a quay at the Royal Naval ammunition depot at Portsmouth Harbour last night, rocking Portsmouth and a wide adjourning area. Fire broke out on the leading vessel and frantic efforts to control it were unavailing. The men working in the barges were just able to get away before the vessel went up with a terrific explosion. When the dense pall of smoke which blotted out the harbour cleared away, the burning barge had disintegrated, the pier head was wrecked, and three of its four cranes were in the water. A few' minutes later a second terrific blast completed the demolition of the pierhead and hurled the remaining crane into the harbour. The cause of the initial explosion is a mystery. Groups of sailors were loading the barges with shells and heavy bombs to be taken to warships in the bay when a fire broke out in the lighter. The men in the barges jurijped for their lives as ship after ship was fired from the searing sheet of flame and exploded. Police were sent in to prevent panic spreading. They cordoned off the whole dock area. .... The Daily Mail says it is believed the barges were being held ready for loading warships bound for a secret destination overseas. . Reuter says that fire engines from every depot within 20 miles of Portsmouth went to the dockside. Several firemen were injured by shell explosions during the operations. (i Admiral of the Fleet, Sir „ Algernon Willis, commander-in chief of Portsmouth base, has opened a secret inquiry on tho spot into the mystery explosion. Sir Algernon announced that there was no reason to suspect sabotage. Armed security and Admiralty police patrolled the entire Portsmouth dock area while naval intelligence officers combed the devastated area for clues to the cause of the blast. A dockyard official said that in spite of the severe damage it was now almost certain that no one was killed. Three of the 30 men loading barges at the time were first reported missing but a check • today showed that they were safe at home.