The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-02-24

Near Kiel--The Main steam, Pipe OF the
starboard Engine Explodcs.
KEEL, Feb. IA terrible accident
occurred on board the German ironclad
Ramcnburg Friday morning near Stoll-
srgrund, 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 se-
lected for forced draught trial
To get the ironclad in first-class con-
iition for the test forty artifcers were
sent aboard from the imperial dock
gard. While eleven of these artificers
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 a moments hesitation
every effort was put forth to rescue
the unfortunate men in the engine
room. It was then found that of the
sleven artiicers 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 subsided, a further
search was made among the crew TO,
the dead and injured. It was then dis.
covered that thirty-nine men in all had
been killed and nine injured. This list
includes the ten dead artifcers. Thirty.
seven of the men were killed instantly.
Two of the wounded died short while
efter receiving their injuries.
Six steamers were promptly dis
patched from Kiel to the scene of the
disaster. They carried a number Of
physicians and surgeons and large
quantity of medical supplies. The
guardship Pelican, with Prince Henry,
of Prussia, on board, also put off in
stantly 10 the Brandenburg's aid. The
dead and wounded were carried from
the Brandenburg to the steamers and
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 soop
as the explosion occurred all hands
were summoned on deck and the pump
were rugged. It was not then known
what the accident amounted to, and
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 o;
the dead and injured lived here or in
the neighborhood, and many of then
were men Of family. The wharve,
were crowded from the time the steam
ers left for the scene Of the explosion
until they returned with the victims
AS the dead and wounded were born
tenderly from the vessel to the shor
the air resounded with the cries of tn,
ereaved, while those who had no
lost any friends or relatives uncoverer
| their heads
A strict inquiry will be made into tf
cause of the disaster.
Kiel is not unused to such scenes o
suffering and death. In August, 1898,
an accident similar in its dreadful fea
lures to the present calamity tool
place while the German vessel BadeI
was engaged in gun practice at Fried
richsort. near Kiel A shell, by some
unexplained cause, exploded prema
turely. killing two ietenants ant
| seven men.
Prince Henry. of Prussia, together
with Admiral Schroeder and othe,
high officials, was on board the Bader
at the time, watching the experiments