January 21st, 1882 - Chemical Explosion
A despatch was received last week at the Admiralty from Rear-Admiral Stirling, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Station, reporting an explosion of some "xerotine siccative" onboard his flag-ship the 'Triumph', which caused the death of a seaman and two gunners and wounded seven other men.
This disaster occurred off Coquimbo, on the coast of Chile, on Nov. 22nd, 1881, at eight o'clock in the morning. Two men were killed on the spot and a third died on the following Saturday, while others were terribly burnt.
The material which exploded was stowed under the paint-room, contrary to the Admiralty instructions. It appears that a man went there with a light, and it set fire to the inflammable gas rising from the spilled liquid; he was literally blown to pieces. The substance which has thus been the cause of a serious accident is commonly known as "patent driers," which are used in ironclads to prevent corrosion between the double bottoms.
The 'Triumph' is an iron steam-ship of 6,640 tons, carrying engines of 4,890 horse power, with an armament of fourteen guns. Her captain is Captain Albert H. Markham.
(Reproduced here by courtesy of The Mariners' website - 'Great Great Grandpa's Scrapbook', see link below.)
Document ref. ADM 116/225
Title: "1883 - Explosions - Gas - Xerotine Siccative"
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