Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-04
A Disastrous Explosion of a Cargo
of Dynamite.
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN A SPANISH PORT
Life Lost and Many Buildings
= Destroyed.
THE GOVERNOR MISSING.

SANTANDER, Spain, Nov "A terrible
explosion occurred here last night in which
number of persons were killed. The
shock of the explosion was SO great that
the residents in the furthest parts of the
city thought an earthquake had occurred
and that the place was about to be ue-
stroyed.
The ship Volo. with a cargo Of dynamite
was lying at quay last evening. when, In
some way not yet explained. she caught fire.
A large crowd gathered in the vicinity.
and the police. who were evidently unaware
OF the dangerous character OF the ships
cargo, made no attempt to drive them away
The sovernor OF the province personally
directed the efforts of the fremen TO ex-
tinguish the flames, though he was fully
aware Of the danger he and the other fire
fighters were in.
While every effort was being made 10
quench the flames there suddenly was neard
dull roar. followed by a report that shook
the city to it's foundations.
Every house around the quay was wreck
ed, their walls being blown as though made
Of cardboard.
TIE loss of life cannot yet be stated with
any degree Of accuracy. II is known, how
ever, that many persons Were killed and
that very large number were injured.
The governor has not been seen since the
explosion. His secretary, who was standing
beside him when the explosion occurred
says that he was stunned by the shock
When he regained his senses he looked for
the governor, but could not find him. 1t is
feared that he was killed and that his body
was blown out INTO the bay
The commandant OF the civic guards and
many officials and wo-kn-en were badly in
jured.
'rba tou-n x.-as oo,,,lo.ol,- -.-.,. -.
| the disaster and no attempt was subse-
Quently made to eNtinguish the fire that
was communicated TO adjacent Quays by
flaming brands thrown by the exploding
dynamite.
Telegrams have been sent to Valencia.
Burgos and Malladohd asking that engines
be sent on special trains to fight the FIRE.
The Nolo belonged to the Vasco de Anda-
luza Company.
The City Stricken With Horror.
The horror Of the disaster that has be-
fallen this city has rendered the people
helpless. 1t is impossible to obtain a con-
nected account from any of the eye Wit
nesses Of the explosion. Those who saw it
and lived are in such a state Of excitement
that they can make only the widest Kind
of statements.
There is no question, however, t:at eside
from the money loss entailed by the de-
struction of houses, quays and shipping. q
Is one of the most appalling disasters thsS
has occurred in Spain or elsewhere N
Europe in recent years.
Loss OF Life Put at One Thousaud
The loss OF life was simply enormous.
Some of the estimates place the number OF
killed and injured at upwards Of a thou
sand Later. when the people ana nficis,s
become more collected and a systematic
investigation can be made, It Is probable
that the loss will be found to be less but
IL can be said that IL will be very heavy J
Ihe streets In the vicinity OF the quay
wnerethe explosion occurred are impa ssabls
being filled with all sorts of wreckaRe from
the houses blown down. Ii is certain that
a number OF living persons are under the
ruins, but the authorities and people are SO
helpless that little attempt is being made TO
eAulcate them. A number of soldiers were
put to work clearing away the debris but
their task is being performed in a perfume
tory way.
Already they have come across masses of
human flesh, the sight Of which has made
them sick, and they hesitate to push their
work with any heart, fearing the sights
that they know full well their iabor will
uncover
The hospitals are filled with the injured
ana the physicians are doing everything In
their power to alleviate the agony OF the
terribly mutilated persons writing upon
the cots.
A Spanish Steamer Destroyed.
At the time the Volto blew up the Span
ish steamer Alfonso XII was lying alongside
of her. The steamer was completely de-
stroyed. All her officers and forty OF her
crew are missing and It is certain that
every one of them was killed. The force of
the explosion may be judged from the fact
that portions of the Volo and Alfonso XII
were thrown into the middle OF the town,
carrying death and destruction with them.
II will be necessary TO send troops here
from other cities to aid the officials.
PARIS, Nov. A dispatch TO the Temps
from Santander says that the explosion
damaged many vessels In the harbor. It
also says that the prefect and a column Of
infantry are among the victims. Many of
the bodies of those killed were blown into
the bay or a long distance from the quay.
The telegraph lines were almost completely
wrecked. The nearest telegraph station
from which dispatches can be expeditiously
sent Is eight miles from the town.