New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-26
Blind Fortune Favors 40.

within the broken hulk who can be
reached.
Blind Fortune Favors 140.
Exactly from what cause or when the
fire broke out has not been established.
but II is believed that IL had smouldered
for hours. OF the vessels complement Of
793 officers and men, Captain Jaures,
brother of the Socialist leader, and the
second officer in command were both
ashore on leave, as we'll as 140 officers
and men. The command OF the ship
devolved on the senior lieutenant Vh)
perished.
The fire was discovered at A. m.
and the bugles Immediately sounded the
alarm. The crew rushed 20 quarters
and desperately fought the spreading
flames. but il was soon evident that the
fire had obtained a firm hold. Signals
Of distress were flashed TO the other
ships, and these despatched steam PIN
naces and launches at full speed 10 as
sist in the work OF extinguishing the
flames ard rescuing the men. But their
services were or lttle avail
The position Of the fire made u M
possible 10 food the magazines at this
time. nevertheless, efforts 20 do so were
made and finally the commanding Of
ficer realizing that the ship was
doomed. ordered the bugler 10 sound the
"Sauve qui peut" C'Let him save HIM
self who cam and shouted 20 the men
10 lump for their lives.
At 5.35 the first explosion occurred. II
was followed by three others az one
minute intervals. Then came the final
explosion. the terrific reyerberation ~
which shattered the windows of the
ubola CITY and was heard for a radius
Of many miles.
The Liberte was rent asunder. Her
bow was thrown high in the air. and
then the vessel slowly settled down. and
in nineteen minutes nothing was visible
but the top works
Those still on deck were hurled sky
,srd amid a shower OF iron and steel
The boats OF the rescuers were sunk and
serious damage was done TO the Repuo-
lime. which lay at anchor close oy
Two Of her decks were stove IN and
one ~ the Liberties armor plates. hurled
tvs, her rort side. demolished the
cabin OF an absent ensign. For a few
minutes after the final explosion an in
tense black cloud Of smoke lowered
over the harbor.
Whom il shifted horrible spectacle
met the eyes of the people Of Toulon.
uybo. awakened by the first explosions.
had hurried TO the shore. The twisted
urner works Of the battleship were pro-
,ru6inp from mass Of formless wreck
aoa among which struggled the seamen
from the rescuing boats that had been
sunk boy the flying debris or sucked
down in the maelstrom.
Late tonight the naval authorities
declared that the number OF Victims IS
Greater than AZ first appeared The Of
ecial estimate is now given as between
three hundred and hfty and four hum
dred dead or missing.
The work of rescue vas quickly
begun. An ambulance station was in
stalled in the arsenal. and Admiral
Marin parbei. maritime prefect went
out 10 the wreck and superiutended the
work OF extricating those imprisoned
under the shattered steel
Forty Bodies RseoVered.
The first body recovered VAS that ~
an officer. which was hauled from under
an awning with boathook. Up 90 this
evening forty bodies have been taken
out and ninety four injured have been
| transferred 20 the hospital
Electric shears 10 cut through Tho
mates OF the Liberte. and powerful
/ floating crane 20 lift the masses 81