Volume Two - The Era of Optimism, Investment & Development - Some newspaper reports from the 1900's . . .

• September 1903 - An Explosion at Penarth - Startling Occurrence on a Barque - "Shortly after ten o'clock on Tuesday morning an explosion took place in the hold of the Norwegian barque Eliza, at present lying at the top of the Penarth Dock. The Eliza left Swansea with her cargo some days ago, but had to put back to Penarth on account of the bad weather. The cause of the explosion is not at present known, but it was of a rather severe character, for, besides doing damage to the ship, four men were severely burnt. Dr. Barry was soon in attendance, and did what be could to relieve the sufferings of the injured men who were placed on a railway truck and taken at once to the Cardiff Infirmary.

The names of the injured men are:—

H. Hansen, 46, Norwegian.
Peter Klappin, 45, carpenter.
George Fulton, married man, belonging to Swansea.
B. Kristifor, a native of Riga.

Klappin, who was burned rather severely about the head and hands, was able to leave the infirmary in the course of the day, and returned to the barque.

The vessel belongs to Fredrickstadt, and the master is Captain Berg. She was laden with small coal at the time, and the decks were completely blown up. It is stated that the negro cook was in the galley at the time, and while the deck surrounding the cook-house was completely destroyed, that portion immediately beneath the galley remained untouched. Other men in the forecastle were similarly fortunate. It is stated that one of the injured men, a young Russian, named Kristifor, a native of Riga, was blown into the rigging, but other eye-witnesses failed to corroborate this.

Fulton has lived at Swansea for a number of years, and he, Klappin, and Kristofor joined the ship at Swansea a fortnight ago. Very soon after the occurrence Dr. Barry, of Penarth, arrived and gave first attention to the sufferers, afterwards ordering their removal to the Cardiff Infirmary.

The Eliza was constructed at Drontheim, and her owner is A. Hannested, of Fredrickstadt. The barque has undergone some stirring experiences during the past fortnight. She arrived at Swansea in ballast last Wednesday week, and, having been laden with 350 tons of anthracite, she proceeded to sea, but she put back to Abertawe, whence she again set sail for Norway.