South Shields, 1857

February 20. An alarming explosion of gas occurred this morning, in the ship Prince Phillippe, of Ostend, then lying in the river at South Shields. The vessel had received a cargo of coals on the 18th, when the hatches had been incautiously fastened down; but in what manner the gas had been ignited was not ascertained. The vessel was reduced to a mere wreck; a sailor, named Mars, was blown to a great distance and drowned in the river, and several of the crew received very serious injuries.

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