Japanese Calamity

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume v, Issue 1430, 14 September 1905, Page 2

Japanese Calamity

Battleship Mire

Explosion of the Magazine

Vessel Sinks in Sasebo Harbour

Nearly 600 Casualties

Press Association.—Copyright. TqKio, September 12. Tns battleship Mikasa, whilo lying at anchor at Sasebo, caught (Ire at midnight and sank at ( 2,80 on Monday morning, Whilo efforts wero being made to extinguish the flames sho exploded aft, the magazine blowing a hole in the port sido bolow tho water line,

The casualties were 599, including sea* men rescued from other ships. Admiral Togo was net aboard,Tho disaster has created a profound sensation and gloom ovor all classes in JapanThe fire originated at, the base of the Mikasa's maiuma«t, and is beHovod to havo beon duo to an OYorcbnrgo of electricity, The magazino exploded within an hour, Thoro is somo prospect of raising and repairing the ship, inasmuch as sho sank in shallow water, , The battleships Shikisbima and Asahi, the torpedo gunboat Satsn, destroyers Murakumo and Kasumi, and four auxiliary cruisers sent parties to assist the crew, The Times Mio correspondent slates that five ore known to havo boon killed, and that 251 aro missing, and 343 wounded, The Telegraph statos that the lire took place at 20 minutes past'midnight, Tho officers' casualties wero one killod live missing and 11 wounded, Tho Mikasa had only just left for a certain destination. The danger of a lin&l explosion ra not apprehended, otherwise uioro would have boon saved, ' •

Ippallisi Less ol Life

Was it an Accident ?

London, September 13,

The Tokio correspondent of the Daily Express states that two-thirds of tbtrcrcw and a majority of the officers aro lost, The sailors made desperate efforts to stop the progress of the Hanioa. Tho Daily Mail's correspondent' says that out of iho 599 many were killed,

Tho Daily News asks whether the disaster was accidental or tho" dohberato ael of a fanatic who was dissatisfied with the pence torms, and hopes the inquiry will show that tho catastrophe belongs to tht category of Admiral Tyrou's or the Royal Sovereign category of aooidents, which wero cosily and tragic, but not sinister:

Tho newspapers express sympathy with Japan's disaster at the opening of a ghr* ions ponco, and whon her command of hor own soa is acknowledged by tho whole world.

[The Mikasa was the flagship of the Japnnoso navy, and was a vessel of 15,200 tons and aa indicated horse power of 15,000, Hor principal armamotit was four 12 inch bre°eb-londors and fourteen 6-inch quick-firer?, making ia all 18 guns, She had a speed of 18 knots.]