Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-24
AN EXPLOSION REDIVIVUS
THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY or
FICE THE SCENE.

Injury tn an Unpopular superintendent
Suspected as the Object of the RIis-
oreant-Gun Cotton Probably the Ex-
piosive Used-The Building Not Greatly
Damaged.
LONDON, April 3d. Great excitement
was caused in the Admiralty office in
Whitehall street at IL O'clock this fore
noon by an explosion in room in the
basement of that building. The firemen
and police We're promptly summoned. and
all the gates OF the Admiralty building
were closed. A special guard was at
once posted. No person was allowed 10
enter or depart from the premises until a
thorough examination could be made.
The explosion occurred in the Secretary's
department. Edwin N. Swanson. AS
sistant Secretary and principal clerk, re-
ceiyed "A scalp wound. 1t is said that
other officials were also injured, but none
50 seriously as Mr.. Swanson. A large
force of detectives under inspectors were
posted around the Admiralty building.
The explosion set the room in which it
occurred on fire. The officials and fire.
men soon eXtinguished the flames. The
Cabinet were Immediately informed by
telegraph of the explosion, and were
furnished with all the facts. A special
messenger was dispatched to the Home
Office, and Sir. VIM. Vernon HarcOurt
was also notified. William Sproston Game,
Member of Parliament, Civil Lord of the
Admiralty, was summoned by telegraph,
and be shortly afterwards arrived at the
scene of tie explosion.
swAINsoN's ROOM A WRECK.
Mr., Swalnson's room, in which the ex-
pl0siOn took place, was made a complete
wreck. The adjacent corridors were very
much damaged, while all the windows
fronting on the Horse Guards parade
were blown out. Several of the inspectors
Of explosives attached TO the Home Office
were promptly on the ground and made a
critical examination Of the wrackage.
Sir William Vernon HarcOurt and Col.
Maj ndie, chief inspector Of explosives,
also made careful and personal exami-
nation OF the wreck. The walls and other
principal parts Of the building are unin-
jured.
A strong suspicion prevailed in police
and official circles that the explosion was
the result Of private malice, as Swanson
was greatly disliked by number Of per-
sons, including several employees of the
Office. 1t is certain that an IN
ternal machine was placed in a
bookcase just over the spot where
Mr.. swanson g head would be when sit
ting at his desk. The detectives are posi-
tive that the outrage was the work Of an
employe, as no stranger could pass the
janitor without some document showing
that he had business with some Of the
heads o. the department, and the janitOr
says that no stranger 10 his knowledge
has passed him during the past p hours.
Mr.. Swainson's injuries are severe. but
consist principally Of cuts and bruises.
He has recovered consciousness, and, no
doubt, will soon be well. No other person
was injured. Swainson's room was thor
oughly wrecked.
PROBABLY GUN COTTON.
The latest conjecture is that the ex-
plosive must have been placed in Mr..
swainson's desk. 1t probably came
through the parcel post, and is thoughti
to have consisted of two pounds
of gun cotton or some SINH
lar agent. The only other explanation
offered is that the miscreants gained adj
mission to the building during a slight
interval occurring between the relays Of
police and deposited the explosive in the
office. The detectives are still completely
in the dark.
CHARGED 10 DYNAMITERs.
The Dailg Ne,os and Lar Journal as,
sumo that the explosion at the Admiralty
Office yesterday forenoon was anotheri
dynamite outrage, and they call on the
government 70 capture and hang the
dynamiters. They also comment on the
fact that the Office selected for destruc-
tion is the most inert Of all the adminis-