Evening journal., 1892-06-14
YANKEE TARS BLOWN UP
Thirteen Killed in Mare Island
Navy Yard.
THEY BELONaED 10 FHE BOsTON.

While Filling Shells in the Magazine OF
the Navy Yard sailor Dropped One
OF the Projectiles Which Exploded,
Causing Death and Destruction.
SAN Francisco, June 14.--At ll:S0 a. m.
frightful explosion occurred at Mare
Island navy yard in the filing house, where
shells are charged by which thirteen men
were Killed. The victims were Acting
Gunner Hettinger and twelve sailors Of the
United States cruiser Boston.
a List of the KILLED.
A list Of the killed is follows;
T. d. G.. Hettinger, gunner U. S. N.
G. sundberg gunner's mate.
Thomas Seymour, chief gunners mate.
William Heckel apprentice.
A,Keteyell \, seaman.
G. w. Smith, landsman.
William Washbnrne, seaman.
F4Legat SEAMAN
w, Ostraadef apprentice.
William Rushl seaman.
W Johpson, seaman.
r. Riucke, seaman.
- n. H9lluni apprentice
Three men were taken to the hospita
badly injured, TWO Of whom have since
died. TlIclonly survivor Of the terrible ac
cident Is J Briscoe. and his injuries are Of
the inqst serious character.
niALlBe an Earthquake shock.
The report of the explosion shook Vallej.
like q shnrp shock Of earthquake and imme
diately the fire bells at the navy yard were
rung Down at the magazine there belched
forth into the sky an immense cloud o.
smoke, and tor half an hour report after re-
port was heard as She shells exploded. I'm
meSiiately the entire navy yard oorce rushed
for the magazine and horrible scene pre-
sented itself The burned and charred re
mains of two apprentice seamen were on
the beach 200 yards from the scene Of the
explosion. In the midst of the ruins and al
around on the side hills were found bodies
and pieces OF bodies scattered here and
there The bodies were taken out as fast al
possible, and when all were put alongside o.
each other they counted twelve, with Gun
ner Hettinger Of the Boston, at the head.
scenes OF Horror.
Some were cut In two, others were minu
leg or arm or head Twelve men wer'
killed outright and three were taken to the
hospital wounded but dying Two Of th'
three latter were picked mn on the beach
The explosion had thrown them into tn
bay, and boat from merchantmen res
cued them. They were literally skinned
alive, and soon died Of their injuries.
There were fifteen men from the Bcsto
at work in the filling room when the explc
sion occurred.
Dropped shell.
It is supposed that one Of tho party droI
ped a shell, and that the concession cause
an explosion One Of the first 70 go to th
scene was DR. Lewis, Of the Naval hospi.a
Notwithstanding now and then an expls
sion of shell, he hraved the danger an
went into the midst OF it to save life II POI
sible, but the explosion had finished II
work
Three magazine watchmen, Collins, Burr
and Damstedt. who were on duty in othe
parts Of the grounds, were severely injured
Watohman Collins had narrow escape.
Piece OF sloll glanced from the tsp Of b
head and left an ugly confusion. Il can
from the second explosion. The first on
had shaken him alIaost senssless, aud aft,
he was struck he walked for al hour aboI
the ruins The body Of Gunner Hetting,
was found on the roof Of shell house No
The unfortunate man had been blow
through the roof Of she'll house No. 2, whiC
was alterward destroyed by fire. Mrs. N
Dougal, OF the lighthouse, with her daug
ters, Misses Bessie and Carrie, was early
giving assistance TO the wounded. Fhe e
tire crew of the Boston worked hard in q
ruins under the direction OF Lieutenan
Blaze, Robinson and Huges.
Hettiuger was appointed from Pennsylv
mia Oct. 2s, 1890, and was detailed to q
Boston Feb ,, 1891.