Explosion on Shipboard

Southland Times, Issue 13280, 5 August 1895, Page 2

Explosion on Shipboard

NARROW ESCAPES FROM DEATH.

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.] . — _ ' ' Sydney, Aug. 4. Received sth, 0.45 a.m. An explosion occurred early this morning on board of the barquentine (brigantine ?) Prosperity"; loaded with the Metropolitan Coal Company’s coai, and lying in Elizabeth Bay. The cook, named Pousty, removed the riding light at daybreak and had carried it into the galley when a tremendous explosion took place. The deck was torn up from end to end and the debris and coal scattered over the harbour. Pousty was found unconscious. and seriously -injured. John Thomas, a seaman, and Nelson, a boatman, were slightly injured. Two of the crew who were in their bunks in the forward deck-house had a wonderful escape. The after portion of the house was blown away and the men were covered with debris, but they escaped without injury. Fire started among the deck timbers but was extinguished before it spread to the hull, which remains intact. The explosion was caused by the generation of coal gas. The German barque Argo, which was laden with the same quality of coal, was destroyed in a similar manner an July 22nd, 1893. [The Prosperity is probably the brigantine of that name once owned by Mr W. S. Waterston and sold by him to a Queensland firm.]