DISASTROUS EXPLOSION

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 27

DISASTROUS EXPLOSION

SYDNEY, May 2. Farther advices concerning the explosion which took place in Kobe Harbour on April 14 show that it was caused by a fire aboard Nickelo and Co.'s powder hulk, on which were 3000 cases of dynamite, 50 cases of detonators, and ■ 2300 cases of gelignite. The whole city was violently shaken as though it had been visited by a severe earthquake, while wrecked and damaged houses on every hand gave the impression that the city had been swept by a typhoon. The amount of damage, which extends over a very wide area, cannot be estimated. Many houses in the immediate vicinity of the disaster were totally wrecked or badly damaged, and there is scarcely a house in the foreign settlement and on the hill that has not a broken window or doors or other evidence of the tremendous force. Three explosions closely followed each other. Three other lighters with dynamite aboard and which were lying near were so badly damaged that they became waterlogged. Luckily they did not explode. Only >ne life was lost—that of a watchman aboard the hulk, —though a number of people were injured, including passengers on the tramway. The explosion was heard and felt for miles around.