Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-30

The Navy Department ia quick to recognix
courage and bravery on the part of Its officer
or sailors and delights in publishing to tn
world conspicuous acts Of daring or fidelity t,
duty BY members Of the service,
Secretary Tracy has published the followin,
in general orders:
General Order No. 401.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, September n, 1892.
On the morning Of the 18th Of June last, b,
the accidental explosion of ammunition in thu
building known as the shell house at the nava
magazine, navy yard, Mare Island, Cal. where
number Of men belonging to the T.. s. s
Boston were engaged in preparing shell fol
tnat vessel. twelve persons were instantly killed
and several others more or less injured.
when 1t Is considered that the explosion re.
ferred to had scattered burning fragments
upon the roof Of the shell house and about the
building, that there was imminent danger OF
hre therefrom reaching the magazine near BY
which contained large quantity of powder
and that greater disaster was liable to ensue
the department is deeply impressed with the
courageous conduct Of those who promptly an.
preached the building and by well-d,rected and
persistent enort succeeded in preventing
further loss Of life and property.
In view of the above facts it is deemed prone,
that public acknowledgment be made Of the
important service rendered by officers and en-.
listed men OF the navy, employees Of the navy
yard and others on that occasion.
1t HaPpears from report made to the depart
ment by Rear Admiral John Irwin, command.
ant Of the navy yard, that Capt. ]. C. Watson
then captain of the yard, who was early at the
scene OF disaster, mounted the burning roof oi
the shell house and directed the movements OF
the party about the building, consisting OF
Commander C. E. Clark, Surgeon d. o. Lewis
(the first officer arriving on the grounds), Gun.
M nI Wox xolx
and Collins, in their efforts to extinguish the
fire.
In report concerning the accident, made by
Capt Watson to the commandant Of the yard,
ne states that two seamen apprentices, G. II.
Beamer and j. Murmann, both of the q. s. s.
Boston, were with him on the roof of the shell
house and rendered efficient service, and he
also mentions the following persons in addi-
tion to those named by the commandapt. who
gave him prompt assistance, viz: Commander
Henry Glass, Lieut.. Commander W. T. Swim
burne, Lieuts. E. X. Moore, 7. 8. Phelps, F. H.
Lefavor and Albert Gleaves, Ensign C. F.
Hughes, Surg. A. NJ. Moore, Civil Engineer F.
Timothy Sheehan, Sailmakers William Red
stone and Michael Barr, United States navy;
Maj. H. A. Bartlett, Lieut.. J. A. Turner and
Private Thomas Kennedy, United States marine
corps; w. d. Nichols, stable keeper; the crews
of the fire engines Of the yard, composed of
Messfs. morn, Bryant, " hara, Cleveland and
Vance; Foreman Mason DEMO, Mr.. McCauley,
writer; Mr.. Hanscom, electrician, and Frank
st. John and Albert Sylvester, laborers.
Both Capt. Watson and Surgeon Lewis ac-
knowledge the kindness and courage exhibited
by Miss Bessie McDougal, who, while driving
along the road leading to the magazine at the
time the explosion occurred, offered DIR. Lewis
the use of her carriage, and by driving rapidly
to the gunner's house, near the magazine en-
abled him to quickly arrive at the point where
his services were needed.
Other reports of the casualty show that timely
and effectual assistance was given by Medical
Inspector G. w. Woods, Surgeon 4. F. Ma
gruder, Passed Assistant Surgeon T. C. Craig,
Assistant Surgeon j. z. Page, Ensign 8. S.
Robinson, Naval Cadet ]. F. Carter and Car
penter Burroughs, q. s. n, and by watchman
johnson, w. H. McKeagh, John Brough, en-
ployes Of the yard, and J. Mcguire, pilot OF the
ferry boat Ellen. as we'll as a boats crew de-
tailed by Capt. Parsell Of the English merchant
ship Ilala, which was then lying at anchor in
the vicinity Of the magazine, viz: James R.
Carnon, F. A. White, John Mckay, John JONAH
sen and Z. H. Graham.
Where so many responded to the call Of hu-
mnnity and nobly performed their duty in this
great emergency it would be invidious on the
part Of the department. and indeed difficult. to
select any one for especial commendation; but
to those persons whose names appear in the sew
eral reports received concerning the acciaent,
and who are mentioned in this order, the thanks
OF the department are hereby rendered.
B. F. TRACY,
Secretary of the Navy.