Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-14

Toulon, March 1.-THE efforts to re-
cover the bodies of those killed by the
explosion on board the French battle
ship lena here yesterday, which have
been conducted with energy for "a
hours have not yet resulted in definitely
fixing the number Of casualties. But af-
ter the last roll call tonight there were
still unaccounted for eight officers and
40 men. There is little doubt that all
these missing men persisted. The ron
call was applied only to the crew OF
the lena. but as it is believed that some
u or Il arsenal hands were engaged on
board the battleship at the time of the
explosion, it is feared that the total
number of dead will reach 12o In this
belief the Naval hospital here was in
structed tonight to prepare mortuary
space for 120 bodies.
Minister of Marine Thomson made a
second visit to the lena late today. after
the dry dock had been emptied OF wa
ter. and made a careful examination of
every Fart of the battleship that was
accessible. The interior steel nlanking
and the partitions of the battleshlp
shows signs of having been subject to
enormous pressure. In many places they
are bulGcd out or indented.
All day long weeping mothers, wives
and other relatives of the missing men
thronged the approach to the hospital,
hoping that their loved ones We're stili
alive. and eagerly scanning the stretch
ers that were brought in. Fifty bodies
were recovered during the day, but on
Nv - of them could be recognized. The
remainder were formleSS masses OF
charred flesh.
At o'clock this evening hope ives
revived by Il rumor that several men
had been brought out alive, but UNI
fortunately this proved to be untrue.
After the roll call Minister Thomson
reviewed the survivors and addressed
to them = few touching words, after
which the men who are engaged IN
searching the vessel returned to their
task at which they will work all
night. Two Of the wounded died in the
hospital this evening and there are I'VE
others who are not expected to live un-
til morning.
The prince of the ASturias. 4 brother
in-law Of King Alfonso Of Spain, has
arrived here to convey the condolences
of His Majesty to the French navy and
to visit Rear Admiral Manceron. who
was wounded. The rear admiral at
tended King Alfonso during His Ma
jestys visit to France.
Toulon, March 13.-Ministcr Of Ma
rine Thomson arrived here today from
Paris. The roll of the battleship lena,
on which the disastrous explosions oc-
CURED yesterday, was Immediately
called and 4Ol men replied to their
names. Those of the crew who are I'M
injured are quartcred temporarily III
the naval barracks. Twenty-four Off
GERS and engineers are also reported II
eb safe and besides there are "A of the
crew in the hospitals seriously injured.
As the officers and crews numbered $50
II will thus be seen that 49, are not &C
counted fer But the naval authorities
consider il most probable that 4 large
number Of those have sought refuge
with relatives or friends in Toulon.
Later IL men reported, leaving IL UNI
accounted for.
The entire town shows signs of he
deepest mourning. Crowds are gath
ering at the gates of the Arsenal and
docks. anxiously awaiting the an
nouncements Of the names Of tho dead