The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24
DEATH CLAIMS A
VICTIM OF THE
CAP EXPLOSION
John Burke Expires in
Harbor Hospital.
INVESTIGATION is BEING HELD
ARMY OFFICERS PROBING INTO
THE MYSTERY.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF CALL
Special Orders No. 204:
a board Of officers consisting Of Lieutenant
Major Robert J. Gibson, surgeon, and Major
Robert H. Noble, assistant adjutant general
United States Volunteers. will at once assem-
BILE on board the transport Sherman to ex-
anime Into, report upon and ascertain the
causes leading to the explosion on board Of that
Thirtieth Infantry, United States Volunteers.
BY command Of Major General shafter:
Assistant Adjutant General.
In accordance with the above order the
board met early yesterday aboard the
Sherman and held a searching investiga-
ton. From what can be gathered on the
outside the blunder that has resulted in
the death Of one man and the wounding
of three others was made at the Rock
Island arsenal. At Fort Sheridan 1t was
known a mistake had been made, but by
some unaccountable means 1t was not
rectified and the accident In the hold Of
the transport followed.
The ordnance supplies for the Thirtieth
Regiment were sent from Rock Island
arsenal to Fort Sheridan. At the inves-
tigation yesterday the quartermaster SER
geant of the Thirtieth testified that he
received the ordnance supplies sent for
the use of the regiment from Rock Island.
Among the boxes of cartridges was one
containing 100000 primers. This box was
put aside and whether 1t got mixed up
again with cartridge boxes and came on
to San Francisco or not he could not
reasonably certain that the box of prim-
ers came on as box of cartridges and
1t was that package that caused the dis
aster in the hold Of the Sherman.
There were over twenty longshoremen
handling the ordnance supplies when the
accident happened. The boxes were all
IN the hold and were being placed in the
magazine. The men were in line from
where the boxes were piled to the maga
zine door and each box was passed from
man to man until 1t reached the maya
zine, where 1t was stored. All of the
uninjured longshoremen testified yester-
day that the greatest of care was used
in handling the stuff. Captain Barneson
and other officers of the transport. ser
board is satisfied that there was no care
lessness at this end of the affair. 1t will
be some weeks before Fort Sheridan and
the Rock Island arsenal can be heard
from and in the meantime the inquiry will
remain open.
John Burke died Of his injuries at the
his body was taken to the. Morgue. He
was conscious up to the last and suf
fered terribly. A few minutes before
death he asked DIT. Morrison, to end his
TO alleviate his pain and save his life,
but it was not to be. Death was due
to loss of blood and shock. He was 35
years of age and a native of Brooklyn,
\. Y. An inquest will be held on Mon
day.
Frank Klein is in a precarious condi-
ton. He was removed to Lane Hospital.
Charles Anderson was discharged from
the Receiving Hospital early Yesterday
morning. He viii be all right again in a
few days.
John Miller, who lives at 1907 Leaven-
worth street, is another 'longshoreman
who was injured. He called at the Har-
Dor Hospital yesterday morning and DIR.
Morrison removed one of the primers