The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-08-30
A HORRIBLE DEATH.
Lieutenant COmmnndcr Edes ana
Iieutcnant Spalsling. of the Navy,
BIOwn 20 Atoms by Torpedo
iu NewpOrt HnrbOr.

-, -.... and
I s....s S.,ns.isw~ oe the NAVY.
Hiown 10 Atoms by a. Torpedo
In Newport Harbor.
Lieutenant. Commander Benjamin Long
Edes and Lieutenant Lyman G. Spalding
wore instantly killed Yesterday afternoon
in the barbor at Newport, II. L. while ex-
peritnonting with torpedoes. Both officers
were In the inner harbor In torpedo
launch. and were putting n torpedo in posi-
tiou in order to exhibit the experiment to
Admiral Porter who has been here for several
days. The torpedo was to be exploded by
the breaking Of the electric circuit. Edes
had the deadly missile in his lap while
Spalding was rowing the launch. The tide
was low and the torpedo was planted in
about three fathoms of water. Near by was
steam launch with the remainder of the
class under instructions on board. Admiral
Porter, Capt. Selfridge, and the officers of
the torpedo station were on Goat Island,
where the torpedo station is located, for the
purpose of witnessing the experiment
Edes leaned forward to arrange the ap-
paratus in the water, when loud noise
and explosion were heard and the two
bodies OF the unfortunate men were seen in
the air
The bodies went into the air some thirty
five feet, and with them assembled the debris
of the boat. The workmen employed on
the station waded into the water rs soon us
possible and recovered all that was pos
sible of the bodies.
The class Immediately returned to the
island, and an officer was detailed to go to
Narragansett Pier and break the news to
Edes' wife, who had gone there yesterday
morning for few days visit
Mrs. Edes belonged in this city, and re-
IciI LODI mr. M 1uOD IL strapt mort Ia west Sraltl-
ing, who was not married, resided in Ports
mouth, n. II. The coroner's jury brought
in a verdict to the effect that Edes and
Spalding met their death by the accidental
explosion of torpedo, which would not
have happened had they followed instruc-
tions. No one at the torpedo station is ia
blame.
This exculpatcs Lieut.. Caldwell, one OF
the instructors, who in doing his duty In
closing the circuit made possible the acct
dent, for Edes depended upon keeping this
circuit open, although he failed to inform
Caldwell Of his intentions Both men had
Just been detached. Spalding had strange
presentiment of death before leaving his
boarding place yesterday morning He
gave his card, with his address upon 1t, to
the landlady and said he wanted her and
his friends to know where to send his body
| in case Anything happened to him. The
flags on the vessels of the training fleet nj
Fort Adams and at the torpedo station were
put at half-mast.
Lieut.. Commander Benjamin Long Edes
was native of Maryland, but was APP
pointed to the Naval Academy at Annapolis
from New York in 1861, he being then q
resident in tiat State. He graduated in
1865, and was attached to the Ticondcroga
on the European squadron, until 1867, when
he was transferred to the Shamrock, having
been promoted to ensign in 1866. In 1865
he was promoted to MASTER and was com.
missioned as lieutenant in 1860. He wa.
promoted to lieutcnant-c and at
tached to the torpedo service at the time Of
his death.
Lieut.. Lyman q. Spalding, the other
victim Of the disaster, was q native of New
Hampshire, and entered the service in 1871
He was commissioned as lieutenant In
1875. -,4,,s.
Another account says:
"That the accident was the result OF
neglect cannot be doubted, but the
neglect was that of the two men them.
selves, who failed to carry out the instruc-
tions Of Lieutenant Commander Bradford
who told them to be sure and see before
planting the torpedo that all the connec.
tions between it and the two firing stations
not have done so. and their lives are nm.
| fortunately SACRIFICED Tho eynlosion tooL