The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1911-09-26


of life more appalling than wars
iereest clash could have wrought oe-
Cured on the French battleship Lib
erte early today, when an incipient
blaze grew into sweeping flames which
ate their way into the fighting vessels
magazines.
Terrific explosions that followed
from $50 to 500 men
Most of the death toll is confined to
the Liberties roster, but men and Of
ficers Of other French ships lying at
anchor off Toulon were killed when
they went to the rescue of the doomed
Liberties tars.
First intimation of trouble that was
to grow into one Of the most appalling
naval disasters in time of peace, came
at O'Clock this morning, when an
alarm of fire was sounded on the Lib
erte. Immediately water was turned
into the blazing hold, although the
blaze was not considered menacing
until some time after its discovery.
AS the stubborn fire ate its way to-
ward three magazines, there came a
slight explosion. This gave impetus
to the blaze and in another moment
there occurred series Of detona-
tions.
Sailors Panic Stricken.
BY this time, sailors, panic-stricken
by their sudden realization that the
flames were kissing their way peri
lousy close to the main magazines
began te hurl themselves from the
sides Of the vessel. Before many
could escape, however, the fire broke
through the magazine vaults.
There came an explosion that rent
the giant fighting ship in twain, Big
gashes were torn in her steel armor
and from these assures bodies of Off
GERS and men were hurled fol- great
distances into the harbor's water.
Pieces Of armor plate Kissing
through the air, struck several other
vessels. The Republique, struck by a
flying fragment, was forced to hurry
TO the docks for repair
Explosions DemoIish Vessel.
The force of the explosions was
terrific. They shook the vessel fore
and att each one seemingly scrongef
than that preceding, opening up great
assures in the armor and framework
of the vessel.
The vessel Immediately became a
mass of fire and smoke and soon, al
most demolished by the terrific deton-
ations, sank to the bottom of Toulon
harbor.
Estimates of Dead.
At an early hour unofficial esti-
mates Of the number of dead run as
high as 500. Estimates by naval men
varied widely, but there was no doubt
that the loss of life was more than
300. Scores of seamen died in their
berths. a few dozen saved themselves
by jumping overheard. Many Of those
injured. leaped into the water and
were drowned before the boats from
the other ships in the roadstead could
reach them.
Two hundred Of the crew escaped
death owing to the fact that they
were ashore on leave. Commander
Juares, brother Of the socialist dep
uty. was not on board.
Scene of Carnage.
The carnage in the explosions was
worse than could ever have occurred
in an actual naval engagement. The
first clash came when the crew was
for the most part dispersed in yari-
GUS sections of the vessel. They were
without warning of their danger.
Scores Of bodies were hurled high in
to the air accompanied by great frag-
ments of framework, armor, bursting
shells and the binding, sunocating
smoke of the powder.
Men below who had not yet been
awakened were killed in their sleep.
Others, awakened by the explosions,
started to jump overheard and were
caught by the second detonation. The
crew was panic stricken and rushed
wildly about, cropping in the smoke
in which many fell unconscious.
Quick Rescue Work.
There were many vessels in the har-
Dor at the time, including number