The forward hold of the Hugo-Stinnes str. Adolf von Baeyer was completely wrecked and, according to the last accounts kate on Tuesday. night, three holds of the steamer were on fire as a result. of an explosion of 2,500 tons of saltpetre which occurred about 655 o'clock on Tuesday evening. Whether there were any lives lost is @ matter for speculation, as "several of the crew, who were on the forecastle" head the time of the explosion pre said to have leaped overboard into the Huangpu, It is known, however, that one man had his leg broken and was otherwise severely mangled. In the explosion two Jarge, steel girders, which secured tion at a late hour, it appears as if the second and third holds of the steamer were carrying cargo of, about 500 tons of kerosene. and gasoline. This, it is thought, was ignited before' the blaze in "the forward hold could be brought under control, and in a few minutes the whole forward end of, the vessel was a mass of flames. By 9.30 p.m.
was reported that the bridge had ven burnt away. 3
By the time the fire-fighting apparatus arrived it was seen that there was no hope of saving the part of the ship already aflame and the pumps were put to work in en attempt to save the wharf and the after holds. All of the nozzles were brought into play and great Photo by
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