The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-30 00:00:00

Gaplots ..

PRIX DU TRCLDICRO,
Collet Month
Pau Dg L'Exesasuft
Lesbos (by a head)
Czar
Stilton
Maravedls not placed
HABDICAP.

Fidflit4
Flux DI NECILLT,

TERRIBLE EXPLOSION OF AN ENGLISH
STEAMER.-GREAT LOSS OP LIFE AND DE-
STRUCTION UP PROPERTY.

A terrible disaster occurred at Aspinwall on the
3rd inst. The British steamer European, while lying along-
side a wharf for the purpose of unloading, was blown up
by the force of en explosion which occurred among the
cargo. The ship herself was greatly damaged. The wharf
at which she was unloading, and which was 400 feet long,
was literally torn to pieces, and a large building, the freight
house, close at hand, fell, a heap of rains. The shock was
felt throughout the city, and scarcely a building escaped
without more or less of damage. The loss of life oould not
be accurately ascertained at the departure of the mail,
but it is estimated that fifty persons have perished. Many
persons were wounded, and some had to undergo surgical
operations inthe hospital. Beveralsurvivedonly a few hours
after reaching that establishment. The damage done is
roughly estimated at a million dollars. There were three
explosions in all. After the first had taken place the
Royal Mail steamer Tamar prepared to tow out the burning
ship. Before she could do so the second explosion took
place. It was not, however, of a very serious character. The
European was then towed out into deep water, where the
third explosion occurred, which so completely shattered
her that in less than half an hour she went down. The
Panama Star and Herald says it was at first supposed that
the catastrophe was due to gunpowder, but it seemed im
possible that powder could explode in such immense
quantities without creating a cloud of smoke, and leaving
its marks on everything around, whereas in this case a few
minutes after the explosion no traces whatever were
visible, excepting the general ruin. It was then discovered
that some seventy cases of glonoine or nitro-glycerine, one
of the moat powerful explosive agents known at the pre-
sent day, was on board under an ordinary bill of lading'
This at once cleared up the mystery. This compound is
used for blasting purposes, and was shipped from Liverpool
for California. It is believed to be of a similar composi-
tion, if not the same, as a barrel or box of oil which ex-
ploded in Greenwich-street, New York, a short time ago
tearing down two or three [large buildings and damaging
many others.

TERRIBLE DISASTER AT SEA. -GREAT YAR••
WAS!, SATUBDAT.—lntelligence has been received here
of the supposed loss of a screw steamer and all hands. It
seems that on Thursday night, about eight o'clock, a large
screw steamer passed the Newarp light ship, off Winter-
ton, and in about half an hour a tremendous explosion
was heard, followed by a body of flame. The steamer then
disappeared, and it is believe, that all on board perished.
A smack at no great distance observed the disaster, but
could not bear down in consequence of the absence of
sufficient wind. The report was distinctly heard at Yar-
mouth, from seven to eight miles distant, and caused a
sensible vibration in many houses along the beach. Two
steam tugs put off, and at daylight to-day the Minnet
returned with 15 deck planks connected by a piece of iron
beam.