Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-03-12
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
Explosion on French Battleship-Be-
tween Three and Four Hundred Peo-
pie EIlled-0ne Hundred Injured.

Explosion on French Battleship-Be-
tween Three and Four Hundred Peo-
pie Eilled-One Hundred Injured.
Toulon, March l2.--Between three
hundred and four hundred officers end
MN of the French bsttleship jena we're
killed AID almost q hundred more ser
iously injured by an explosion aboard
the vessel today, which resulted 10 her
total destruction.
The FIRST explosion is thought to have
been caused BY a detective compressed
air torpedo. Following this the main
magazine went up. Then came the ex-
plosion of numerous smaller quantities
Of explosives.
Following the explosion flames burst
out In all directions from the stricken
ship and quickly converted her into
welded mass Of scrap iron. So fierce
we're the flames that telephone and tele-
graph wires about the arsenal dock to
which the vessel was moored, were
fused.
The Jena WAS lying at the arsenal
dock within the harbor this morning.
An inspection had been ordered of the
machinery and magazine. Between ii
and IL o'clock, while the officers we're
making their rounds there came fright
ful report followed by others In quick
succession.
The great plates Of the vessel we're
torn asunder Fragments of armored
decks, superstructure. small boats, and
mangled human remains we're hurled
In the air.
Following the explosion which wreck
ed the main. magazine came succession
Of lesser ones, as smaller quantities OF
explosives and torpedoes went up. Ter
ror seized the officers and crew on
the ship az shock after shock follow d
almost beggaring description.
Ia their terror and inability to deter
mino the source OF the trouble scores OF
the men Jumped into the harbor
1t 10 believed that many we're drowned.
The shock of the explosion caused the
entire city to ttemble and a rain OF
burned powder, ciudsrs, and debris
setlled down over the scene of tho dis
aster,
The Jena Is an srmored battleships Of
IL 062 tons. She carried fifty eight
guns. No wood va, used In the con-
strucuon. She was built 10 1898.
Scores of the bodies of victims we're
lncinerated 10 the burning vessel. For
time 1t seemed certain that the big gov
eminent arsenal might also DO destroyed.
The Jena was scheduled TO Gail In 43
hours. All OF her fires we're out and
an inspection Of her engines had been
ordered. Between eleven and twelve
O'Clock the inspection party started be-
low decks. Then came the first explo-
sion. It was followed y moment later BY
another, hundred times greater and OF
such force as 10 make the entire city
tremble.
When the explosions ceased, volun.
teers from among the workmen engaged
10 the arsenal rushed sboard the jena,
but before they could drag score of the
dead and injured from the wrecked YES
sci they we're driven back on shore by
the fierce heat Of the rapidly spreading
fire.
To add to tho horror Of the disaster,
those on the wharf we're forced TO stand
heiplessly By aud sse dozens OF the in
jured who had been unable to escape
roasted alive, their means and cries ris-
ing above the roar of the flames.
Wh le scores Of persons on the dock
were watching the burning Of the bat
tleship Jena this afternoon, q shell on
board the vessel, exploded aud many OF
the watchers we're injured by flying
fragments Of steel
Intermittent explosions have occurred
aboard the wreck at in'elvals 10 beauti-
ful pyrotechnic display, frebrands and
sparks being hurled hundreds Of feet
into the air.
The gravest fear Is entertained that
tho arsenal will be fred.
The jena has 9 crew OF 500 officers
and men, but according to the official
dispatches only about 400 we're on
board. Scarcely one OF these men,
however, escaped death or injury, most
Of them being killed outright.
Among the injured 10 the explosion
OF the bsttleship Jena was Admiral
Mansersef.