The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-17
21 Die in Explosions on
Ship at Dock in Montreal;
Loss Near Million Dollars
Scores More Are Injured in
Series of Blasts on
Tanker; Fire RACES for
Several Hours After
Tragedy.
BY GILBERT DRAPER
United Press STAFF Correspondent

MONTREAL, June IA series
Of explosions on the British oil
tanker Cymberline today killed at
least twenty-one men and caused
property damage of more than a
million dollars.
For several hours after the eXplo-
sions, fires burned white hot at the
Canadian Vickers dry dock, where
the Cymbeline had been tied up for
repairs. At mid-morning the cas-
ualties were announced as: known
dead, 81; injured, SO.
The explosions occurred before
dawn, while the Cymbeline lay at
its dock, most of its crew of thirty
asleep aboard On the pier were
dozens of workers for the Canadian
VickerS Company.
Suddenly, there was a deep roar
from the center fuel tank of the
tanker.
Series of Exp. OSiOnS
The conclusion was felt up and
down the water front. Fire spat up
throagh the craft. Two other ex-
plosions followed rapidly
Members of the crew, their cloth
ing ripped from their bodies, ran
screaming to the first point of res
cue they could find. Many of the
dock workmen are believed to have
leaped into the water.
1T was the worst experience
ever had" Leonard Rumble, engl-
neer of the tanker, said. The
screams and howls we're terrible. l
still can hear them ringing in my
ears. I'll never forget it till my
dying day
Firemen from all parts of Mon.
treal fought the oil fed flames.
Firemen Die in Flames
AS the debris swirled and smashed
on the docks, they we're caught. At
least three, including Fire Director
Raoul Gauthier, were killed.
L saw Montreal fireman, who
was playing a hose on the burning
ship struck in the back of the head
by large piece of timber" Rumble
said.
He fell face down, the hose twist
ing and whirling on the ground
like a big snake.
I'VE rushed to his aid, but before
We could reach him his clothing
was af1re. He was dead"
Signal flares aboard the vessel
we're ignited. They shot up in hap
hazard and eerie display over the
fire and ruin.
Many of the injured are in criti-
cal condition and may die. Mem
bers OF the crew. those not needing
hospital attention, were given make
shift attire, and taken to the Sail
ors' institute.
Rescue Work Difficult
Meanwhile, every fire station in
Montreal had flags at half-staff be-
cause of Gauthiers death.
The f1remen and police arrived at
the dry docks few moments after
the first explosion to find many
victims screaming for help under
the debris which buried them.
Members of the crew were aboard
at the time of the blast. But most
OF the dead and injured were work.
men who had been rushing repairs,
night and day, since the tanker ar
rived early in May from port Ar
thur, Tex, with its cargo of oil.
The mechanism of the dock was
wrecked by the blast that made
rescue work more difficult.
Tells of Saving Men
Il was standing on a small dock,
Thomas Kirklan, 81, a Vickers en-
ploye, said. II swan to larger
dock just after the explosion. There
I got boat and returned.
Il picked up five men, all badly
burned, Three were beneath the
dock. Two were at the stern of the
Cymbeline
Then after 1 got to the sheds
where the men were being treated,
there was another explosion. It
threw burning wreckage all over the
place"