SEARCHING FOR THEIR COMRADES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3333, 27 September 1911, Page 5

SEARCHING FOR THEIR COMRADES.

SAILORS BOARD THE CLOWINC WRECK. HOUSES ROCK. AND WINDOWS SMASHED BY EXPLOSION. (Received Sept. 27, 12.3 5 a.m.) PARIS, Sept, 26. A shapeless half of the sunken mass of the Liberte lies in forty feet of water, and only the upper works and. the after bridge are visible. A number of boats’ crews, before the smoke had cleared away, boarded the glowing wreck in search for their comrades, several of whom were rescued from under masses of twisted ironwork. An officer was hauled from under an awning with a boathook, but he had succumbed. Many survivors were very dazed, and their narratives disjointed. A witness ashore states that he saw bodies momentarily quivering high up in the air and then drop into the sea. Houses rocked, and the windows were smashed. throughout the town by the force of the explosion, which also sent fragments of armour plate, shells, ami glut mountings, dealing death and destruction on all sides. Many boats were swamped or drawn under by suction, and their occupants were drowned. The Republiqne’s after turret was hit and several plates were ripped, and she had a heavv list to starboard One of the Liberte’s armour-plates alighted on. the Republitpie's port quarter, crushing in the cabin of an officei who was on leave.