Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-07-01
HORRIBLE EXPLOSION.
A British Vessel Blown to Atoms
--Great Loss Of Life.

PANAMA, June 21.-The Patra of Valpo-
risa publishes letter from Punta Arenas,
of the 1st of May, giving the following ae-
count of the destruction of Her Ma jasty's
ship Doterel at that place, on April 26
The letter says: On Tuesday, April 26,
at a. m, the English gunboat Doterel,
lost from Montevedo, anchored in the road
stead of Punta Arenas, Demgallones. A
few moments afterwards the captain of the
port and health officer made their usual
visit to the Ship and were received by
Commander Evans himself At 10 o'clock
the captain and the doctor returned ON shore
and five minutes afterwards tenible explo-
sion shook all the houses in the place, caus-
ing profound panic. At first a moment
Of CONSERVATION was passed. An immense
column of smoke was seen in the bay, which
remained immovable on account of the per-
feet calm which reigned at the moment. In
the air, fair above the cloud of smoke and in
the dense smoke itself, could be seen objects
of different forms and sizes and
an infinite number of project'les
were thrown in all directions in the bay.
Comprehending the terrible event, every
body rushed to the beach, and in a moment
II boats, well manned, were bound for the
scene of the disaster. As only willing hands
could drive them, 2 boats put OFF from the
missionery schooner, which was lying in
port. The Chillian schooner San Jose,
which was on point of sailing to the relief of
some shipwrecked sailors In the straits, dis
patched four boats and Pontoon Kate Kel-
logg sent another. These boats being near
est the ruined vessel, were first to render
assistance. All the boats were soon
on the scene of the disaster and the
smoke clearing away, enabled them
"a &c a.
whom it was possible to save A boat of
the San Jose discovered two objects in the
water, one of them striking out with the
desperation Of person in the last extreme
ties. fastening to the spot, one of the
sufferers was saved from certain death. The
body was completely naked, and from four
or five wounds blood was flowing abund-
antly. Wrspping the body in o blanket,
the boat pulled for the shore at once, and
the wounded man was borne by five men to
a house near the wharf. An examination by
the DOCTOR who dressed his wounds, wrapped
him comfortably in blankets and put him
in bed, proved the sufferer to be Comman-
der Evans. Other boats arrived at about
the same time with seven more individuals
who belonged to the crew. All had received
wounds. One of them, the quartermaster,
had terrible wound in the head, and re-
ceived severe contusions. All were COM
pletely exhausted. They could not speak,
and appeared to be unable to realize what
was being done with them. In couple of
hours all were able to walk about town,
except the captain and quartermaster, whose
wounds confined them to their beds Cn board
the nissionaro schooner of the bishop of
Malvica Island four of the rescued sailors
were taken, who during the afternoon were
able to land and join their comrades. The
boats remained all day cruising about in the
neighborhood of the explosion, but not
ending anything living to save, occupied
themselves in gathering together a great
number of fragments of human bodies
which were floating about Only three
bodies were found entire, and these were
fearfully injured. The pieces were gath
cred together, put in boxes and buried
as soon as they were brough on shore.
The three bodies were buried in the ceme-
terry at o'clock the same afternoon. They
were accompanied to there last resting place
by the naval and militar authorities of this
place, and their forces, their surviving COM
panions and all the principal persons of the
town. The funeral services were conducted
by the curate of the mission of Terradel-
fugo. The Doterel blew up at TO- Is a. NJ,
disappearing almost instantly. The cause
of the terrible catastrophe it is not possible
to determine,