Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-09-26
Blaze, Which Finally Set Off
the BattleShip'S Magazines;
Started Among lnfNammableS
in StOrerOom of Vessel. ,
MEN WORKED HER0ICALLY
TO OVERCOME FLAMES
Before They Realized Their
Danger Explosions Occurred
Many MangIed Victims Yet
Alive Taken From Wreckage,
rBy Noraiar sOarss, spsc,si L.s..s wire,

IBy Morning Journal special Lsssss wirel
Toulon. France. sept. 2o.--Between
350 and 400 officers and men of the
French hatteship Liberte. lost their
lives today when the ship was torn
apart and totally destroyed In the
harbor here by an explosion of her
magazines. The hattleshlp Republi
que was badly damaged and the bat
tie ships Democratic and Verite suf-
fercd heavily from the masses OF
twisted iron and armor plate hurled
upon their decks.
This is the greatest disaster that
has ever befallen the French navy and
in magnitude is almost without pre-
cedent In the annals of the worlds
fighting ships.
The explosions, which wiped out
one of Frances most powerful battle
ships, occurred at 5:35 o'clock In the
morning. II was the result OF an out
break OF fire. The flames spread
rapidly in spite of all efforts to ex-
| tinguish them and reached the maga-
zines before there was time to flood
them. The magazines exploded with
tremendous violence, sowing death
and destruction in every direction.
While the naval authorities esti'
mate the dead at three hundred, II
Is feared that this figure will be ex-
ceeded. II win be necessary to go
through the ships muster rolls.
task of days, before fun list of the
victims can be prepared. Several
men already have been taken alive
from the torn and twisted mass OF
wreckage and the hope In strong that
others mny he reached.
Exactly from what cause. or when
the fire broke out. has not been cs-
tablished. but II In believed II had
smoldered for hours. or the vessers
full complement of I42 men, Captain
Jaures. brother of the socialist Lead
er. and the second officer In com
mand were both ashore on leave as
were l40 other officers and men. The
command of the ship devolved on the
senior lieutenant, who perished,
The fire was first discovered nj
a. M. ana the bugles Immediately
sounded the alarm. The crew rushed
to quarters and fought desperately
the spreading flames but II soon was
evident that the fire was beyond con
troll Signals of distress were flashed
to the other ships and these des-
patched steam pinnaccs and launchc-
es to assist In the work of extinguish-
ing the flames and rescuing the men.
The position OF the fire made II
impossible to flood the magazines
and finally the commanding officer,
realizing that the ship was doomed,
ordered the bugler to sound the
"SauVe Qui Peut." ("Lct him save
himself who ean'0 and shouted to tho
men to Jump for their lives.
ktQE tbn fret nxptpgipu occurred
II was followed by three others al
one minute intervals. Then came the
final terrific dctonation which shat
tered the windows OF the entire city
and was heard for a radius OF many
Imles. The liberte was rent asunder.
her bows were thrown high in the air
the vessel slowly settled down. In
nineteen minutes nothing was visible
but the top deck.
Those still on deck were hurled
skyNard amid shower OF iron and
steel The boats Of the rescuers were
sunk and serious damage was done
to the Republiuue which lay at an
chor close by Two Of her decks were
stove In and one OF the Liberties ar
NOR plates was hurled against her
port side and demolished the cabin OF
an absent ensign.
For y rev minutes hlltI INC ihipl
explosion an intense black cluod or
smoke lowered over the harbor.
When It lifted q horrible spectacle
met the eyes Of the people Of Toulon,
who, awakened by the first explosion,
had hurried to the shore.
The twisted upper works OF the
battleshp were protrudlng from q
mass OF wreckage among which
struggled the seamen from the res
cuing boats that had been sunk by
the flying debris or sucked down In
the malestrom.
Late tonight the naval authorities
said the number of victims is greater
than at first appeared. The official
estimate now is between $50 or 400
either dead or missing.
The work Of rescue quickly began.
Nm ambulance station was installed
in the arsenal and Admiral Marin
Darbe. maritime project, went out
to the wreck and superlntended the
work Of extricating those imprisoned
under the shattered steel
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