TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 8

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

THE CUMBERLAND INCIDENT. PASSENGER'S STORY. Recent cable messages from Australia that an explosion had •wrecked the steamer Cumberland when she was off tho coast Some fuller details are published by the "Sydney Morning Herald." A huge spout, of water that had forced off the top of the ventilator on the forecastle head, and was shooting up as high .as the mast itself, was the sight that met tho eyes of the only passenger on the Cumberland as he rushed on deck just afte- the explosion that wrecked, tha vessel. It had been a terrific explosion—an explosion that crumpled even the ironwork on parts of the deck as if it had been so much paper. Men were thrown down by it, and some* injured. One man came up on deck with the blood running from ■ his nose and eyes. The passenger "who • told the story to tha "Herald '-' was Sergeant F. J. Bohm, a returned soldier, who has been a well-known figure en recruiting platforms in New South Wales, and who was, by the: courtesy of the shipping company,.-proceeding to England on the Cumberland.

"It .was 'breakfast- time, and the skipper and chief' engineer had just gone into the saloon. '.' I was standing in the saloon alleyway when the explosion occurred," said Mr . Bohm. "Whan I picked myself up I hurried on deck, and .went to get a bag from my cabin—a starboard' deck stateroom, it was as well I was.away from it when the explosion hapx>ened, for the door and steelwork of the cabin wore crumpled like paper. Our first idea was that we, had strack a mii:o.''

Mr Bohm described how the skipper laconically announced that the vessel was doomed. "It's all over. There's tho beef running out!" exclaimed Captain M'Gibbon, looking over the. side. Tho explosion had blown a holo> in the ship where the frozen beef was stored, and for many yards around the sea was littered Avith floating meat, while every movement of the vessel caused more to slip through the gaping ; rent into the Avater. The skipper gaA'ei the order to tako to the lx>ats.

It would appear from what members of the crew have stated that they were actually engaged on tho work of provisioning and preparing the boats when they knocked off tor breakfast, just> bofore the disaster to th?i Cumberland. The narrow escape of those on board strongly impressed Mr Bohm with the desirability of a system insuring the provisioning and inspection, of boats before; a vessel leaves port.

Jt ivai fortunate that the Cumberland was within sight of Gabo Lighthouse, for tho explosion had put the wireless installation out of action, and it was a message from the lighthouse that brought the Corio to the scene. The boats, however, were already on their way. to Gabo Island.

There were twelve in the bos'n's boat, in which Mr Bohm Was, and, after borrowing three rowlocks and as many oars from tho chief mate's boat, they rowed away for tho lighthouse, which was a iittle speck on the skyline. When the skipper called for volunteers from his own boat to go back and try to beach the.Cumberland he was accompanied by the fifth and seventh engineers and live others, including the second steward. It was tli 0 seventh engineer, Mr Bohm states, who pluckily went down into the stokehold after the explosion. The bos'n's boat was not one of those taken in tow by the steamer, and those in it had to pull for nine hours before they again boarded the Cumberland, which had by that time been run aground. The wireless apparatus had been repaired, and another ship soon after camo on the scene. Soon afterwards the list on the Cumberland mado 't dangerous to stay on board, and the crciw went ashore, reaching Gabo a,t i! a.m. on the Friday. They camped for a week, and during that time managed to save the whole of the Red Cross consignment from the wreck. There; was a heavy swell on at the time of the disaster, but how lucky thoso on board wero in not having worse weather was realised three days later. Two boats were! being rowed cut to tho wreck, when a sudden squall came tip, that flung them on the rocks and smashed them like v natchwood, tho occupants having a narrow escape. " Well for us that that i-quall was not a few days earlier,'' said Mr Bohm. Mr Bohm was impressed with the sailorlike courage and coolness of Captain M'Gibbon, who w-ns tho last to leave the ship on each occasion.