Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-26
a MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.
REPORT OF THE DISASTER AT IN
DIAN HEAD.
(By Telegraph to Virginian-Pilot.)

N6y Telegraph to Nirginian Pilot.)
Washington, ID. c., Oct. 25.--At S
O'Clock this morning Admiral Oneil,
chief Of the Ordnance Bureau, Navy
Department, received telephone mes
sage from the proving ground at Indian
Head. reporting that about 10 O'Clock
last night n fire and several explosions
occurred in one of the filing houses
and magazines. No other damage was
done and no one was injured.
Lieutenant Strauss, commandant at
Indian Head, came up on naval tug
and at once went to the Navy Depart
ment. where he made n lengthy report
to Admiral Oncil.
THE DETAILS.
The latter then gave out the follow
inE details presented by Lieutenant
Strauss:
The explosion occurred in a small
magazine of the proving ground. and
this. iii turn, set fire to an adjacent
building where ammunition was stored
both the magazine and the other build
ing being destroyed. The magazine
WAS orcncd ut 10 o'clock yesterday
morning to take out Il quantity of pow
der at that time its temperature was
taken nj ii degrees. which is quite low.
The temperature in ship magazines be-
ing MS hi%h as 81 degrees. 1t was then
closed for the day. At 400 D. m a
Waterman made his usual rounds of
inspection and found everything about
the nIaEazinc in proper order. At 80
y. M the Waterman again made his
round and turned i'm Il report showing
everything in proper order. At 1915
y. IN. the explosion occurred without
warning and without the slightest clcw
rs to what occasioncd il. There was in
The magazine ut the time OF the eN-
n'oSion S,c00 pounds of black powder
5p.ooO pounds of smokcless powder and
lot of brown powder. probably about
'toO pounds. After the first en-
nlosion The fire found its way
TO the ammunition. ana this caused
successive explosions lasting until
after midnight. Most of the pow
der was destroyed. but some of the
sinclScicss powder lies scattered about
In heaps not having been igniicd.
Manv of tho shells and smaller pro-
iectilcs also are lying about uncxpIod-
cd. although showing the effects OF
heat.
The loss is estimated by Admiral
Oneill at between $25. and $50. Geo on
powder and ammunition. The loss TO
the buildings is considered trining. A
small pholographins plant also was de-
stroyed. The damage was confined to
this spot, which is n raVine isolated
/ from the main buildings on the hi.,h
grounds. The officers quarters and
| tiipS' ussN'i ny NulkilltIi anu InplI i9m-
| HES were considerably shaken up.
many windows being broken and the
| plastering of ceilings being shaken
down. There was naturally much ex-
element. but at no time like panic.
/ The wives of the officers and workmen
/ were assured that there was no danger
/ to the dwelling quarters, and main
/ tanned their composure throughout the
! fire and explosion.
THE CAUSE \ MYSTERY.
The cause of the explosion is a com
| plctc mystery. Lieut.. Strauss reported
| that there were no fabrics in the maya
zine except n few powder bags. so that
the theory of spontaneous combustion
is not entertained. The low degree OF
temperature during the morning also
is an assurance that all was right In
that particular. The magazine had al
the modern appliances OF safety
Admiral Oncil directed Lieut.. Strauss
to assemble 4 board OF inquiry from
among those at the station. who viii
conduct a thorough Investigation and
make formal report on the subject
! The Admiral said that this was the
usual and necessary course and in
volvcd no reflection on those in charge