400 LIVES LOST.

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13187, 29 May 1915, Page 5

400 LIVES LOST.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Received May 28, 1.30 p.m.

LONDON, May 27. The auxiliary craft Princess Irene was accidentally blown up in Sheerncss Harbour. Seventy-seven dockers perished.

AN INTERNAL EXPLOSION.—HEARTRENDING SCENES.

LONDON, May 27. The Princess Irene was a mine-layer, and belonged to the Canadian-Pacific Company. There was an internal explosion at eleven in the morning, and the steamer totally disappeared. A stoker named David Wills, who was picked up, sustained bums. Several men on the adjacent vessels were wounded by falling splinters. There weir pathetic scenes outside the gates where the notice was posted.

it is believed that over 200 workers lost their lives in the execution of theii duty at the Sheerness shipyard.

LATEST ESTIMATE—4OO LOST.

WRECKAGE HURLED A MILE HIGH Received May 28, 9.30 p.m.

LONDON, May 28

Besides a crew of 230 on flm Princess Irene it is officially stated that a large party of retitiers and dockers was aboard. Some estimates are that there were -100 lost. Two pillars of-flame at an interval of a few seconds rose 300 ft with a deafening roar. When the smoke cleared only fragments of wreckage and corpses were to be seen. The explosion was felt at Maidstone, 22 miles away. An officer aboard a vessel near-by says th«*Princess Irene was hurled into the air a mile high in ten thousand fragments. He could distinctly make out the forms of men amidst the Hying wreckage.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Received May 29, 12.35 a.in

LONDON, May 23

The wreckage resembled matehwod. A spectator said he saw one man swimming with a lifebelt, and it was believed lie was a survivor, but it was found that he belonged to another ship, and had jumped overboard believing that his own shin was doomed.

A seaman on the deck of a neighbouring ship narrates that he saw a huge flame springing from the deck of the Princess Irene, followed by smoke. Then came a series of crackling explosions, followed by a big explosion. A great volume of smoke and coal dust arose in the air, and the Princess Irene simply melted away. The explosion seemed to stun everyone for a few moments, then boat crews were ordered to pick up the survivors. Two men working on neighbouring barges were saved, but several others were killed, including a crow of five belonging to a harbour launch alongside the Princess Irene.