New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-22
FATAL SHELL EXPLOSION
A LIEUTENANT AND A SOLDIER KILLED.

THE LATTER HAMMERED THy CAP TO GET IT INTO
PLAcE-THE TERRIBLE REsULTa
The Government Ordnance Board subjected now
tweve-inch mortar to series of tests ct Sandy
Hook yesterday After the first tests had been COM
pleted, some shells being loaded continue the
experiments to-day, when one of them exploded
instantly killing Private Joseph King and injuring
Lieutenant William NJ Medcalfe so that he died with
In halt an hour Several other men who were stand
ing near were injured but none seriously.
In the first experiments the shells loaded with
sand and nred with charge of fifty pounds of POWDER
Lieutenant Colonel Mordecai had charge of the ex-
periments. Colonel McAllister chief OF ordnance, not
being well, was not present. Captains SLaler and
Wbipple. Of the Ordnance Board. and Major Parker
and Captain Lyle In charge OF a detail OF soldiers,
from Willet's Point had LETT the grounds after tho
firing. Lieutenant Medcalie with superintendent Sim
clair directing the loading Of the shells and dozen
soldiers engaged in the work. Two barrels Of
powder stood q short distance away and the shells
were loaded from this twenty five pounds OF powder
being nsed In shell: One OF them hae been finished
with powder 1t found that the cap did not screw
down readily into place. and King took hammer and
raped It su artly The explosion was instantaneous
body high in the AIR and tearing it INTO fragm.nts
The pieces OF the shell scattered in all direc-
lions. tearing down portion OF adjoinins fenco
and striking the buildings several hundred feet away
The men standing near were thrown to tine ground
and those not otber~ise injured deaened tor tho
time by the report. Corporal Clark. standing behind
King was not hurt. Lieutenant Medcs lie thrown
ten feet both legs nearly of and several fatal
wounds were inflicted. Mr.. Sinclair blinded tor
the moment. but on recovering discovered some sur
rounding woodwork on fire and directed that water
be thrown on the flames at once before they could
extend to the powder barrels: The clothing OF Asu-
tenant Medcalfe was also burning His tace
backened by the powder and he was unable to speak
Sergeant Abbott injured in the ace and limbs and
the remains OF King burned and charred beyond
recognition. The ordnance steamer was sent at once
to the Atlantic Highlands for a physician. but be
arrived too late to be of any service to the injured
officer.
Lieutenant Medcalfe was graduated only few
years ago at West Point and regarded olhcer
OF great promise. He had been living at Sandy Hook
tor several weeks and his mother who living with
him. was watching the operations OF the party from
distance at the time OF the explosion. Her family
live in Dean-st. Brooklyn. An older brother oil Lieu
tenant Medcalfe died from an accident only few
months ago.
Private King was thirty years old and native Of
ireland, where his parents are now living An under
taker from Long Branch last evening attended TO the
| remains of both men and the Long Branch coroner
gave burial permit and will hold inquest to-day.
Colonel McAllister was seen at Governors Island
last night. He said that report OF the accident had
been brought to him by Captain Sbaler. He
attributed it to of the powder getting in the
thread of the screw aud becoming ignited by the
friction when the struck by the hammer.
This method of driving down the cap Of she'll with
hammer, he said often used by the men, If they
were not closely watched This is said to be the first
accident resulting in the death of any person thar has
occurred at Sandy Hook for more thrn twelve years.
All the ordnance for the army Is brought here Tor
trial Congress last year failed TO pas, any approDra
ton tor the work here and since then the mechanics
and laborers have been discharged and their work Is
done by soldiers detailed for the purpose.
No disposition OF the bodies has yet been deter
mined on. Last evening Assistant Post Surgeon,
Birmingham sent down 20 Sandy Hook To lock
after the wounded and the ordnance boat was placed
the disposal of Mrs Mcdcalfc to bring the body oil
her %