New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-26
THE LOSS ATINDIAN HEAD.
MAGAZINE AND ADJACENT BUILDING
DESTROYED IN THE EXPLOSION
no ONE TNJT-RFD
10 ONE INJURED

Washington, Oct 25.-AdmiraI ONeu Chief OF
tne ordnance Bureau. Navy Department. received
tnls morning a message by telephone from the
proving ground at Indian Head reporting officially
the fire and several explosions which occurred
there late last night
The message was received by Admiral o'Neil
from Lieutenant FuIlinwider. who is second in
command Indian Head. At the time he sent It
Lieutenant Strauss the commandment at the proving
ground, was his way 10 Washington on the
proving ground dispatch boat Santa Barbara. TO
make his report Of the occurrence directly TO head
quarters here As soon as it became known ON
cally that no had been injured. great relief
was experienced the Navy Department
Lieutenant Strauss, upon arriving here. went at
once 10 the Navy Department where he made a
long verbal report to Admiral O'Neil The latter
then gave out the following details of the explosion
presented by Lieutenant Strauss:
- The explosion occurred in the small magazine OF
an 6 5ionns ground and this in turn. set fire 70
an en-. So!4cent building where ammunition stored.
0estroyed- The magazine was opened Al 10 o clock
SS e morning to take out quantity Of pow
9er AT mat time its temperature was taken at 81
Which IS quite low, the temperature in ship
then closed for the day At 4.S0 p. m a Waterman
mace his usual rounds of inspection and found
At $40 m; the Waterman again made his rounds
proper order At 1Ol D. m the EXPLOSION oc1gred
without warning and without the slightest clew
There were in the magazine at the time Of the
sApIoSlon SWo pounds Of black powder. $1,000
powder, probably about seven thousand pounds
mere also was = considerable amount OF arnmuni-
Ilon IN the adjacent building which took fire viz
% 6-pound shells. $50 3-pound shells ard % roo
rounds of small ammunition After the first ex-
plosion the fire found its way TO the ammunition
ana thus caused the successive explosions. lasting
until after midnight Most OF the powder de-
stroyed but some of the smokeless powder lies
scattered about in heaps. having been ignited
Many of the shells and smaller projectiles are also
tylng about uneXploded although showing the ef-
fects Of heat.
The loss is estimated by Admiral O'Nen at be-
tween $4,000 and 600 powder and ammunition
The loss TO the buildings is considered trihing. a
small photographing plant also destroyed
The damage confined to this spot, which IS in
ravine, Isolated from the main buildings on the
high grounds. The officers quarters and those
used by workmen and their families were consid-
erabfy shaken up many windows being broken ard
the plastertng Of ceilings being shaken down
There naturally much excitement but at no
time anything like a panic The wives Of the Off
GERS and worknen were assured that there was no
danger TO the dwelling quarters. and they main
tained their composure throughout the fire and e1-
plosion
The cause of the explosion is complete rysrery'
Lieutenant Strauss reported that there were
fabrics in the magazine except ! few powder bags
80 that the theory OF spontaneous combustion IS
not entertained. The low degree Of temperature
during the morning also is assurance that al
right in that particular. The magazine had
all the modern appliances for safety.
Admiral O'Neil directed Lieutenant Strauss 70
assemble board Of inquiry from among those AZ
the station, who will conduct thorough tuvesriga-
ton and make q formal report on the subject The
Admiral said that this was the usual and necas-
sary course. and involved no reflection On those IN
charge