SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT PORTSMOUTH TWO LIVES LOST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 945, 7 November 1868, Page 3

SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT PORTSMOUTH TWO LIVES LOST.

We have to announce the death of Lieutenant the Hon. Herbert George Philip Meade, youngest son of the Earl of Clanwilliam. The death of this gallant and moat promising officer took place at halfpast two on Saturday morning, at Portsmouth, and resulted from the accidental burstins of a torpedo or shell he was experimenting upon on Friday afternoon. The unfortunate gentleman’s abdomen was shockingly lacerated. His left arm and hand were scorched, and his right arm severely injured. The person who was with him at the same time assisting him in his experiments, and who also sustained serious injuries, died about two hours after Lieutenant Meade, after suffering excruciating agony. The Hon Robert Meade was with his brother shortly before he expired, and Captain Lord Gilford, R. N., reached Portsmouth shortly after his unfortunate brother’s decease. The Earl of Clan w illiam left for Germany a few days ago, and is probably, even at this time, unacquainted with the calamity which has befallen the family. The Marquis and Marchioness of Allesbury, Viscount and Viscountess de Vesci, the Marchioness of Bath, the Countes3 Dowager of Dunmore, and other noble families have been plunged into the deepest grief by the untoward and melancholy event. The late Lieutenant the Hon. Herbert George Philip Meade, was in his 27th year, having been born on the 2d February 1842. He entered the navy as a naval cadet, and obtained the rank of lieutenant 7th February 1863. He was for four years on the Australian station in Her Majesty’s ship Esk. Recently the gallant gentleman had been appointed to the Excellency at Portsmouth, and had only joined a few days before. An inquest on the body of Lieut. Meade was opened on Saturday evening, at Portsea, before Mr W. Swainson, the deputy coroner, when Captain Lord Gilford identified the body as that of his brother. He added that he knew the deceased was experimenting with a gun, but he did not know that'he was doing so with a torpedo. Lieutenant Philip Parker, R. N., deposed to having received a message from the deceased after the accident, in consequence of which he proceeded to the house in Union Street, and saw the deceased, who said to him tl While 1 am sensible I wish it to be publicly known that it was nothing connected with my gun that caused this business. It was nothing but the heat from some guttapercha that exploded some of Schultz’s wood powder.” He was very anxious that his gun should not be blamed for the accident, as he was very much ‘ e wrapped ”up in it. When a surgeon wished to examine the wound in his stomach the deceased said, “Its no good giving me unnecessary pain ; my inside is hanging out; you can’t do anything for me.” The deceased said that White, his assistant, was to be provided for out of his (Lieutenant Meade’s) private means. He was very anxious about this, and in bis inquiries as to the extent of his injuries. The inquiry was then adjourned until Monday afternoon. On learning of the accident Her Majesty sent a telegraphic-inquiry as to the condition of the sufferers.— Post.