GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11435, 14 September 1905, Page 3

GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.

Received September 13, 9.23 p.m. Tokio, Sepember 13. The battleship Mikasa, while anchored at Sasebo, caught fire at midnight, and sank at 2.30 on Monday morning. While efforts were being made to extinguish the flames she exploded in the after magazine, blowing a hole in the port side below the water line. The casualties - were 599, including rescuers from other ships. Admiral Togo was not aboard. » The disaster has created a profound sensation and gloom among all classes in Japan. The fire originated at the base of the Mikasa's mainmast, and is believed to have been due to an over- - charge of electricity. The magazine exploded within an hour. ' There is some prospect of raising and repairing the ship, inasmuch as she sank in shallow water. i ' The battleships Sbikishicna and Asahi, the torpedo gunboat Satsu, the destroyers Murakumo and Kasumi, and four auxiliary cruisers sent parties to assist the crew. Received September 13, 10.10 p.m. London, September 13. 'The "Times" Tokio correspondent states that five are known to £ have been killed, 251 are missing, * and 343 are wounded. The "Telegraph" states that the fire commenced twenty minutes past midnight. The officers' casualties j were, 1 killed 5 misaing, and 11 wounded. The Mikasa had only just left for a certain destination. , The danger of a final explosion was not apprehended, otherwise more would have been saved.