EXPLOSION IN A SUBMARINE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11126, 27 July 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXPLOSION IN A SUBMARINE.

OFFICER. KILLED AND TWO M.E.N INJURED. LONDON, June 15. In a gasolene explosion which occurred on board the submarine C 8 at Portsmouth yesterday its commander,, Lieutenant Guy Hart, was fatally injured. Two members of the crew were also slightly injured. The submarine, which is one of the newest type, was moving slowly along th© surface m Portsmouth Harbor for the purpose of trying her engines. Lieutenant Hart was "sitting on his perch, which is just above the door .of the crank pit, watching the engines, when some gasolene which had leaked into the pit exploded. The lieutenant was caught by the full force of the explosion and hurled against the roof of the submarine with such force that his-head was badly injured. Falling back his legs dropped through the opeft door into the crank pit, where they were caught by the machinery and much mangled. As quickly as possible the engines were stopped and Lieutenant Hart extricated. With the utmose despatch he was taken to Haslar Hospital, where he died almost as soon as admitted. Thomas O'Connor, engine-room artificer, and James P. Foster, stoker, firstclass, were slightly burned by the explosion. Although the submarine was not materially damaged as regards the main structure, the interior of the engine compartment suffered considerably." The'bottom flooring was. quite, sucked up" by the forCe or air driven out by the explosion, which was followed by a" fierce rush Of flame. A seaman on deck was sucked down the hatchway by the force of tbe- back draught. .....