The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-03-26
TRAGEDY az sEA.
Particulars ofthe Loss of the Austrian
Frigate "Radstzky"-Three Kun
dred Men Perish.

The first news of the catastrophe was
received here by the naval section Of
the War Ministry, by a telegram from
the commando of the island and,fortress
of Lissa, in which it was stated that
the optic telegraph stationed at Fort
Wellington had singnalled the informa-
ton that, at a distance of about ten
miles TO the northeast of the island, an
Austrian frigate was blown up.
The commander of the island in
stsntly telegraphed to the vessels sta
toned at Trieste and Zara, and to the
commander of the squadron at Gravosa,
to proceed at once to the scene Of the
accident; and the irou-clad frigate Fer
dinand Max, as well as the gun boat
Hum and the steamer Address HofeT
were immediately despatched to LISA
with orders to render any assistance
that was necessary rand possible under
the circumstances.
A deputation Of the corporation Of
Lisss also set ont to the place where the
accident had occurred, and on their re.
turn yesterday they telegraphed that Of
the whole crew and marines on board,
numbering in all three hundred and
sixtY-four men, besides the Captain,
only twenty-three had been able to save
themselves BY swimming.
The Radetzky was under sail, on a
cruise for gun practice. and had no
steam up, SO that the accident could
not have been caused by the explosion
of the boiler or cylinder.
According to the meagre authentic
reports (Which have reached the War
Office and the newspapers, wet cart
rides we're being dried in the powder
room. The ammunition had been un-
packed, and quantities of powder were
lying about on the floor, and the work
men were consequently commanded
to enter the room only in felt slippers.
They, however, came in with their
boots on, without putting felt slippers
over them. The powder coming in
contact with the hard soles of the boots,
ignited from the friction caused there
by, and terrific explosion sent the
vessel and three hundred and forty men
to destruction.
A telegram from the commander of
Lissa to the naval section of the War
Office, dated yesterday evening, gives
the following additional details: The
explosion took place in the powder room
sbaft while the metal was being cleaned.
Cadet Barth was near the foremast
when the explosion took place, by
which he was hurled into the sea-
Quartermaster Kraus reported that be
was in the corridor, experimenting the
process of cleaning. After ten o'clock
he laid himself down in the corridor,
near the foremast. He was reused from
his sleep by violent shock and the cry
of "Fire.
He rushed to the hatchway, but the
steps were blown away, and he had to
creep into the battery, when he saw
the destruction of the hind part of the
ship, which was on the point of sinking. |
The water was rushing in from all sides, |
and he had just time to throw himself
into the sea through the port-hole.
Kraus is of opinion that Quartermaster
Dogek, by incautiOusly striking light, |
had caused the explosion in the powder
room, where the ammunition had been
lnpscked. and cartridges spread out to
lry.- NsRHa Cor. London Post.