New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-13
EIGHTY DEAD ON lena.
BATTLESHTP BLOWN UP.
CAPTAIN Among KiUed-Humdreds
Tniured-HOrribLe Scenes.

captain Vertier. chief OF staff OF the Mediter-
rsnean Squadron. and from seventy 70 eighty
bluejackets are dead. while Rear Admiral Man
ceron and hundreds OF other men are suffering
from horrible injuries. Naval circles are aghast
and the public is stunned by the appalling de-
tails.
The entire after part OF the lena was blown
20 pieces The bodies Of the victims were hurled
through the air by a succession Of explosions
and the panic stricken workmen at the arsenal
fed for their lives from the vicinity OF the dry
dock Scores OF the men who were on board
the lena Jumped either overheard or 20 the stone
ouays and sustained serious injuries.
The primary cause OF the accident the
explosion OF torpedo Why this instrument
exploded IS not known. but the powder maga-
zines OF the lena were set on FIRE and. their
contents exploding. practically destroyed what
was considered one OF the finest vessels in the
French navy. The lena had just undergone
final inspection OF her hull and machinery. the
latter having been completely overhauled pre-
paratory 70 soining the squadron tomorrow.
The crew was in its full strength. being COM
posed Of the rear admiral. twenty-four other,
officers and $50 men. The magazines had been
replenished recently, and contained many tons
Of both smokeless and black powder. as well as
a number OF charges for fOrDedoes.
The crew OF the lena had finished their mid
day meal only short time before the explosion
and had dispersed to various parts Of the ves-
sci Most OF the men were engaged in work
connected with the approaching departure Of the
warship but a large party had been detailed TO
attend lecture which was being given forward.
The explosion came without warning. 1t
shook the vessel fore and aft It was at once
followed by other shocks. The crew became
panic stricken. They rushed wildly hither and
thither about the deck. The men forward. who
had been attending the lecture, clambered over
the bulwarks and jumped down. some OF them
into the dock and others to the stone quay.
Many Of the men who jumped sustained fatal
injuries.
The hundreds Of men below deck were shroud-
ed IN binding smoke. and while they groped
their way toward the exits they became the /
prey Of suFocating fumes, which caused many
Of them to fail unconscious
IN the mean time the detonations had become
more frequent. and the entire afterpart of the
lena. which virtually blown 70 pieces
caught fire Shells and charges Of explosives
in the magazine continued to explode and |
masses Of metal were thrown into the air. fall
ing everywhere about the docks and the ar
senal. These flying missiles demolished the tor
pe5o shed, the engine works and the pump |
house near by and menaced the lives of those
who made their way toward the battleship 10 |
begin the work of rescue. In spite Of the dan
ger many heroic efforts were made 10 render
assistance but most Of them were made in vain |
The lena aname from bursting projecties |
and the fire prevented approach.
II Is reported that for thirty minutes the au-
thor;ies were unable TO discover the key with |
which 10 open the locks TO food the drydock |
ard submorge the snip When the locks were
opened the water rushed into the lena and the |
explosions ceased.
Amid dense smoke the search for the dead |
and wounded began. The lower decks Of the
lena were Uttered with torn bodies. while the |
surrounding water was dotted with human frag- |
rnents It viii be impossible 10 ascertain the |
exact number Of killed and wounded until to- |
morrow. when a roll call VIII be held. Many of |
the men were blown to pieces and others were |
incinerated.
Many Of those who escaped with their lives |
suffered severe injuries. and becoming insane |
rushed franticaIly around the piers until they |
fen exhausted.
The arsenal authorities organized ambu- |
lance service without loss OF time, and a /
long procession Of injured men was its way |
20 the hospitals.
ouartermaster told his experiences. His
face was blackened. his hair and beard had
been burned on. his uniform was in rags and
he had sustained number Of minor injuries.
He said:
7 vas on the bridge and Just about TO call the !
afternoon roll when the explosion occurred.
lad no idea what had happened felt my /
self hurled into the air, and few seconds later
I found myself lying on the quay managed
70 rise and run for my life. had no idea where 4
! was going
An orderly os Rear Admiral ManceTon, who 1
wss cut. bruised and blood stained gave the
following recital:
Rear Admiral Manceron's quarters are above /
she magazine I was in the dining room when
fhe first heavy shock occurred Ine quarters 4
were al once filled with acloulous luInes ana ana
choking smoke / rushed 10 the rc0r admirafs /
cabin where he sat awaiting his coffee. ] saw /
hat he was wounded and shouted 10 him 10
run After that do not know Wh:t WA. 2p tapl,'ea-
J lost my senses and did nol regain cOisclous-
ness until the rescuers found re
captaia vertier occupied a cabin near the I
Tr,.-,- 1fsena 81.