THE WARSHIP DISASTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 37, 28 September 1911, Page 5

THE WARSHIP DISASTER.

KILLED AND WOUNDED. THRILLING EXPERIENCES. Paris, September 27. It is officially stated that 143 were killed and are missing on the Liborte, and 91 were seriously injured. On tho other warships 24 were killed, 37 are missing, 45 wore seriously injured, and'4B slightly. After the Liberte’s sides were opened thirty-four bodies and numerous human remains wore recovered.

Tho roar of tho explosion w r as heard thirty miles away. Everything above the armour bolt was destroyed. The two forward turrets disappeared. Some of the forward magazines exploded and carried this portion into the air, whence -it foil on tho aft part, where it lies almost intact.

The deck forms a huge arch turret. The starboard beam 1011, crushing a crowd of sailors who were waiting to ioavo the ship. Their mangled bodies and bare feet, with clenched lists, were visible under a mass of twisted steel.

Dr. Cristan, attached to the Veritot, boarded the Liberte. Immediately he was blown into the sea by a whirlwind of fire. Ho retained consciousness, and was rescued and assisted in tending to the injured.

One of the steam launches that was sunk was refloated. It contained an unrecognisable body and two injured men. The latter succumbed.

Of eighty who jumped overboard and returned at the instance of the Liberte’s bugle call, fifty perished. A sailor of the Jena explosion survived the Liberia. His term of service expired yesterday. Quartermaster Leroy jumped overboard, but returned. Ho entered the turret, where he was engaged changing his clothes when he was blown oil’ his feet, and the whole ship heeled ever. ’ Ho lay for ten minutes paralysed by the shock. Realising that the catastrophe was complete he crept out, jumped into the sea, and was rescued.

Sub-Lieutenant Mathiou got. jam bed between armour plates. He remained in this plight for two hours in the burning ship, and was rescued unhurt. CAUSE OF THE DISASTER. London, September 27. M. Bolluc, commanding the second squadron, states the powder was the sole cause of the Libcrto catastrophe. The same powder had caused the explosion on the Gloire.