The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-02-22
EXPLOSION
On the German Ironclad Ramenb1rg
Near Kiel-The Main Steam Pipe of the
Starboard Engine Explodes.

Near Kiel-The Main Steam Pipe of the
starboard Engine IcSplodes.
KIEL, Feb. IA terrible accident
occurred on board the German ironclad
Ramenburg Friday morning near Stol!-
ergrund, three miles from the Duelk
lighthouse, at the entrance to the kiel
bay. The big vessel for some time past
has been in Keller Fohrd, one of the
best havens in Europe and the chief
war harbor of Germany, undergoing
various experiments. Friday was Sc
lected for forced draught trial.
To get the ironclad in frst-class con-
dition for the test forty artificers were
sent aboard from the imperial dock
yard While eleven of these artifcers
were in the engine room tremendous
explosion took place. The main steam
pipe of the starboard engine had burst.
Far above the noise of the escaping
steam were heard the heartrending
cries of the injured and dying.
Panic temporarily spread among the
crew, but after moments hesitation
every effort was put forth to rescue
the unfortunate men in the engine
room. 1t was then found that of the
eleven artificers all but one had been
killed. The man who escaped owed
his preservation from the fate of his
comrades to the fact that at the mo-
ment of the explosion he was standing
on ladder near the top of the room.
! His companions were all on the floor
of the room.
| When the steam had cleared away,
and the panic had subsidized, a further
search was made among the crew for
the dead and injured. 1t was then dis
covered that thirty-nine men in all had
been killed and nine injured. This list
includes the ten dead artificers. Thirty
seven of the men were killed instantly.
Two of the wounded died short while
after receiving their injuries.
Six steamers were promptly dis.
patched from Kiel to the scene of the
disaster They carried number oi
physicians and surgeons and a large
quantity of medical supplies. The
guardship Pelican, with Prince Henry
of Prussia, on board, also put off in
stantly TO the Brandenburg's aid. The
dead and wounded were carried from
the Brandenburg to the steamers ano
conveyed to Kiel. The injured were
taken to the hospital 1t is believed
that they will recover.
The details of the accident are very
hard to obtain. 1t is said that as sool
as the explosion occurred all hand
were summoned on deck and the pump
, were rugged. 1t was not then know
what the accident amounted to, ant
fears were entertained that the Brand
enburg was in danger of sinking.
All day long the most intense excite
ment has prevailed at Kiel Most G
the dead and injured lived here or i
the neigh hborhood, and many of ther
were men of family. The wharve
were crowded from the time the steam
ers left for the scene of the eXplosio
t until they returned with the victims
AS the dead and wounded were born
q tenderly from the vessel to the shol
a the air resounded with the cries of tn
n bereaved, while those who had nt
!. lost anv friends or relatives uncovere
q their heads.
: A strict inquiry will be made into I'll
t cause of the disaster.
t Kiel is not unused to such scenes
J suffering and death. In August, 1S9
4 an accident similar in its dreadful fe;
f lures to the present calamity toe
= place while the German vessel Badt
was engaged in gun practice at Erie
b. richsort, near Kiel A shell, by son
S unexplained cause, exploded prem
u turely. killing two lietenants al
Il seven men.
e Prince Henry, of Prussia, togeth
l. with Admiral Schroeder and 9th
e high officials, was on board the Bad'
It at the time, watching the experiment
is