The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-06-14
Twelve We're Killed Outright and Two
More Died at the Hospital,
While Another Will Not Likely Recover
Some of the Bodies Cut in Two, and others
Observation-Disclosures Of the Dead.
DISASTER AT A NAvY-YARD.

DISASTER AT A MAYNARD.
Fifteen Members of the Crow Of the Cruiser
Boston Mangied by an Explosion.
Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal.
SAN Francisco, June 13-The residents
of Vallejo were startled this morning, ut
11:SO o'clock, by a report which shook the
town like a sharp shock of earthquake.
Immediately the fire bells at the navy
yard were runq, and the conclusion reached
was that there was fire on Mare island.
But down at the magazine there belched
forth into the sky an immense cloud of
smoke, and for half an hour report after
report was heard as the shells exploded
Immediately the entire nsvy-yard force
rushed for the scene. The first
spectacles to greet them was the burned
and charred bodies of two apprentice sea-
men on the beach. two hundred yards from
the magazine. Farther on terrible sight
met their gaze. In the midst of the ruins
and all around on the side hills were seen
bodies and pieces of bodies scattered here
and there Bodies were taken out as fast
as possible, and when all were put along
side of each other they counted twelve.
with gunner HittInger. of the cruiser Bos-
ton. at the head. Some were cut in two.
others were minus o leg, an arm
or head. Twelve were killed out
wounded, but dying. Two of the three
were apprentices picked mp on the beach.
The curicle of almost the entire bodies of
these two. as well as their clothes. were
blown off, and yet they were conscious and
able to move, but will die.
NO ONE LEFT TO TELL HOW.
How did it happen, was the question
asked by hundreds. No one can ever tell.
A working party of fifteen men from the
United States ship Boston went down to
prepare ammunition and fill shells for the
ship. All were at work in the fllihg-room
of the magazine, under the charge of gun
ner Hittinger. 1t is supposed one of the
party dropped shell and that the con-
cussion caused the explosion.
One of the first to 20 to the scene was
DR.. Lewis. of the Naval Hospital. Not
wltbstanding there were explosions now
and then he went into it to save life if pos
sible. But the explosion had finished its
work, and he found but one soul possessed
of life, and this body, filled with pieces of
wood and burned and bleeding, was
snatched from the flames and hurried to
the hospital. There were three magazine
watchmen, named Collins. Burns and
Damstedt. on duty in other parts of the
grounds. Although injured they will live.
The body of gunner Hittinger was found
on the roof of shell-bouse No. /, having
been blown through the roof of she'll
house No. 2, which was afterward destroyed
by fire. Mrs. McDOugal, of the lighthouse,
with her daughters. Bessie ana Carrie.
were early in giving assistance to the
wounded. bringing bandages and doing
much that was necessary at the moment.
The work of identifying the dead had not
been done at this writing. as the energies
of all were devoted to getting tho remains
together and quenching the fire. Among
the dead identified are the unfortunate
gunner. seamen Kelville. johnson. Joos
and Hackle.
SCENES AT THE HOSPITAL.
Had the magazine, containing tons of
explosives, exploded, Vallejo would have
been shattered. 1t is a marvel, being as
close as it was, that this did not occur. A
visit to the naval hospital found DR.. Lewis
at work on three men whose lives were de-
SPARED of. One is German, and his cries
of pain were frightful DR.. Lewis had just
taken O piece of wood six inches long by
an inch thick out of his right side. Beside
this, the bones of his left leg were shat
tered, and, with the cuticle burned of, the
body is in horrible state.
One of the apprentices was blown into
the water, and when taken up from the
beach he pItifully asked of the surgeons
do you think We will get over thisi" and
then requested to be laid down. He will
never again get up. His companions con-
dition is equally bad. Hlttinger was be-
yond doubt killed instantly. His head was
blown from his body. Deceased was ap-
pointed from Pennsylvania, Oct %, 1890,
and was detailed to the Boston on Feb 2,
1891.
Following is list tho of killed:
GEORGE HITTINGER, gunner, United States
navy.
THOS SEYMOUR, chief gunner's mate
WM. HACKLE, apprentice.
A A. KELViLLE, seaman.
G. W. SMITH, landsman.
WILLIAM WASBURNE, seaman.
IL.
W. OSTRANDER, apprentice.
J.JOOS, apprentice.
WILLIAM RUSH. seamen.
JOHNSON seaman.
X. REINICKE, seaman.
j. III. POTION. apprentice.
OF the three men taken to the hospital
two have died. The one surviving is named
j. Brisco.
ReinIcke died of his injuries, and was
the only one who said a word about his
experience in the explosion before death.
He said that all that he knew was that
he suddenly found himself flying
through the air. When found he had
a piece of board pierced clear through
his head. Coroner King. who held an in
quest, was interviewed. He says no one is
left TO tell what was the real cause of the
explosion. Parties standing near state that
there were two explosions.