The record-union., 1893-11-06

MADRID, Nov. 5.-From Boo, village
near Santander. Capital of the province of
that name, comes a frightful story of eX-
plOsion, fire, havoc and death. 1t seems
that Friday night a steamer, supposed at
first, although this was an error as after
ward appeared, to be the British steamer
Volo, arrived at Santander with cargo
largely made up of dynamite, although
the fact that the explosive was on board
was not known to the authorities. Dur
ing the evening the vessel, from what
cause viii probably never be known
now, took fire while lying at her dock.
and at once large crowd collected to
witness the unusual sight of ship on
fire. The Santander Fire Department
also hurried to the scene to prevent the
spread OF the flames to the other ship
ping, and to the docks and the adjoining
houses; the Governor of the province and
the chief municipal officers were in the
crowd experimenting the work of sub
DUNG the flames. In the crowd, in fact.
was very nearly every Leading citizen of
the city and vicinity.
Suddenly, coming from no man knows
through the crowd that the vessel con-
tanned dynamite, and just as the people
had started, panic-stricken, from the
scene, the flames reached the terrible
cargo. and with deafening roar it eX-
ploded, scattering death, fire and destruc-
ton on every side. The wharves, ship
ping and neighboring houses were torn
to fragments, and the whole city was
shaken as If by an earthquake, and win
dOws were shattered in every house for
miles around.
Among the prominent people missing
Is the Governor OF the province, who was
last seen on the dock lighting the flames
IN the front rank. The others supposed
to be dead include several representatives
of the municipal and Provincial Govern
lnent, beside many citizens.
Fire at once broke out in the ruins of
the shattered buildings and spread to
those still standing with great rapidity.
The inhabitants were so daZed by the
shock of the explosion that they were un-
able for long time TO do anything to
stay the spread of the fire. which as this
dispatch was sent was eating its way from
snouse 10 house, threatening the destruc-
tiOn of the entire city.
The explosion threw down the wires,
cutting OFF telegraphic communication
with the city, hence the first news is from
with the adjacent country, and all the
villages in tue neighborhood sent their
fire apparatus to the scene, and strong
combined effort is being made to save the
rest of the city.
The rapid spread of the fire prevented
any systematic attempt at recovering
bodies or learning the number of the
dead.
1t is reported that, in addition to the
killed already mentioned, the President
of the Provincial Council, the Colonel
and chief officers of the Civic Guard were
seriously wounded.
1t is also said that the whole city will
likely be destroyed and population of
over &, 900 rendered homeless. A dread
ful panic prevails on all sides. Engines
from many points have arrived and are
making a determined stand against the
flames.
All those on board or near the dyna-
mite steamer and all those on board the
tugboat aloneside her, as well as the
officers and crew of the Transatlantic
liner Alphonse XII. were killed by the
explosion. The body of the Civil Gov
ernor has been recovered, as well as the
bodies of a number of other officials.
Among those reported killed is the Mar
QuiS of PombO.
1t has been ascertained that the dyna-
mite-loaded steamer was the Cabo Much
icaco, belonging to Bilboa, and not a
British steamer, as was at first reported.
Every possible assistance has been sent
to Santander, where hundreds of doctors
are already at work. The troops sent to
the spot are also rendering great service
in blowing up buildings across the path
way of the flames in the districts still
threatened with cOnfagratiOn. No def
mite estimate of the loss of life had been
received up to the hour when this dis
oh woe opT I'M hoy OF
been no deniaIs of the statements made
in private and other dispatches to the
effect that the death list Will be figured
by thousands instead of by hundreds.
1t was officially estimated last night
that the dead will mum Der over 300. The
number of missing and injured is enor-
nous and many Of the injured are dying
owing to the want of prompt medical at
tendance.
train just arriving was wrecked by
the explosion, and set fire to, and ma
jority of its passengers were burned to
death.
Soon after the explosion whole blocks
opposite the quay were blazing, and other
portions of the city were also in flames.
In the midst of the horrible panic few
men retained presence of mind enough TO
ride 10 the nearest railway station and
send kilograms to the Government and
authorities OF other cities impiorlng sue
cor. The cities of Valladolid, Burgess,
Bilboa and Barcelona Immediately took
steps to assist the stricken city. Fire
engines, physicians, medicine and TODD
were soon sent to relieve the distress.
Large forces Of troops were also dis
patched.
The monetary loss sustained is
enormous.
The loss of life has not yet been de-
termned, but some hundreds of dead
bodies have been identified, while others
viii never be recognized from among the
mass of blackened trunks, heads and
limbs which have been gathered to-
gether in heap. A man was killed by
q piece OF iron falling at Pena CASTLE,
two kilometers distant from where The
steamer blew UP. The steamers anchor
fell 500 yards away from where the ex-
plosion took place.
Many details OF the explosion and fire
are still lacking, owing 10 the fact that
feleoraphic and postal communication
has not been renewed.
Santander was lately among the most
prosDerouS towns in Spain, but the dis
aster which has overtaken it will take
MANY wears to repair. The whole coun-
try is Indignant at the criminal conduct
of the Captain and crew of the Cabo
AIachicbaco, as well as the criminality of
those who shipped 4S0 cOntraband cases
Of dynamite. the general feeling being
that the Government must take iinmedi-
ate steps to punish the people who
shiDDed the dynamite. as the death Of the
CAPTAIN and crew OF the steamer Is but
moor compensation TO the thousands of