Norwich bulletin., 1911-09-26
New Battleship Liberte Torn Assunder by Explosion, Killing From $50 to 400 Men
FIRE REACHED POWDER MAGAZINES
Efforts Flood Magazines Unavaing and Men Ordered Save Themselves-Terrifc Explosion Follow ed Sinking Boats in Which They Were Escapng-Three Other Battleships Damaged by Flying Debris

Toulon, France, Sept. 25.-The battie- ship Llberte was torn apart and total- ly destroyed by an explosion of her magazines today. Three hundred and fifty to four hundred officers and men were killed. The batt1eship RepubIique was badly damaged and the battleships Democratic and Verite suffered se verely from the masses of twisted iron and armor plate which were hurled upon their decks.
 French Navy's Weret Disaster.
 This is the greatest disaster that has in magnitude is almost without prece- dent in the annals of the worlds fighting ships. The grief which pros trates the fleet and nation is made more intense by the memory of the recent review here, a notable display of Frances naval greatness. In this the i'll fated ship was one of the finest figures
 Explosion Caused by Fire.
 The explosion which wiped out one of Frances newest and most powerful battleships occurred at 5.53 o'clock in the morning. It was preceded by and was the result of an outbreak of fire. The flames spread rapidly despite all efforts to master them and reached the magazines before there was time to food them. The magazines. exploded with tremendous violence, spreading death and destruction in every dlrec< tion.
 Dead May Number 400.
 While the naval authorities estimate the killed at $50 to 400, it is feared that this figure will be exceeded. It will be necessary to go through the ships muster rolls. 8 task of some days, be- fore a full list of the victims can be prepared.
 A number of men have already been extricated alive from the fantastically torn and twisted debris which was once the Libcrte, and the hope is strong that there are others within the broken hulk who can be reached.
 Fire SnouIdered Several Hours.
 From what cause or when the fire broke out has not been definitely es- tablished but it is believed it had gels full complement of 742, Captain Jaures, brother of the socialist leader and the second officer in command were both ashore on leave, as well as of the ship devoived upon the senior lieutenant, who perished.
 Fire Had Gained Headway.
 The fire was first discovered at 4 a. m, and the bugles irnm ediateIy sound ed the alarm. The crew rushed to quarters and desperately fought the spreading flames. but it was soon evil dent that the fire had gained headway Efrnals ef distress were flashed to the other ships and these despatched steam rinnaceS end launches at full, speed te asssst in tfs work of extinguishing the haxues and rescuiny the men. But their efforts were of little avail.
 Ordered e Save hsnfseives.
 The position of the fire made it i'm possible to feed the Inaga zines; never thHSess. effsyts to d. 50 were made Finally the commanding officer, real irfnD that the ship rGS doomed. erder- ed the Hugler t~ sound the "Sauve Gu Peut" CLst h4sn save himself who can) ttefr lives.
 Five Explosions.
 Al ysS okotoek occurred the first ex- plosien N was followed by three etheys at enc minate intervals. Thor came the final explosion, the terrific reverbaratfon sf which shattered tho windcvzs of the whole city and was heard fer a radius of many miles. The Liberte was rent agunder. her bows vees thrown AfE1h in the air, and ther ths weasel slowly settled. h is min utes nothing of her was visible bu the tep works.
 Nsishsorins Dattieship Damaged.
 Those still on deck were hurled sky ward amid q shower of iron and steel The boats of the rescuers were sunI ReFtfbliaue, which lay at anchor close by. Two of her decks were stove il and 4Ae of the Liberts's eF711or plate. w&s hurled against her port side anc demolished the cabin of an absent en. sign. Fer a few minutes after tn, last explosion a heavy cloud of blacl smoke hevered over ths harsor.