The times., 1901-05-27
ALL DISPLAYED GALLANTRY.
Details of the Death of Lieutenant
Commander Roncr.

The Navy Department received yester-
day by mail full details of the death OF
Lieutenant Commander Jesse NJ. Roper,
commanding the gunboat Petrol. who was
zuffocated on that vessel while trying to
save the life of a member OF his crew.
In addition to telling how Commander
Roper died, the Official reports show that
other officers and men displayed great
gallantry. Lieutenant Mexican and Naval
Cadet Lewis particularly.
The fire was discovered in the sail room
of the Petrol early on the morning OF
March 81 Commander Roper and num-
Der of enlisted men attempted to enter
the sail room, but were driven back 70
the berth deck by gases and smoke. In
describing how Commander Roper met
his death. the executive officer OF the
Petrol says.
Upon learning that one of the men.
Seamen p. Toner. still remained below,
ana was apparently unconscious, Lieu
tenant Commander Roper in spite of the
earnest remonstrances of Lieutenant Nc
hean. again went into the sail room. de-
termined to rescue Toner. being imrnedi-
ateiy preceded by Naval Cadet ]. f. Lewis,
the latter being desirous of making the
rescue, and relieving his commanding Of
heer of such hazardous duty. These Of
r.
kessler. landsman, and c. Flaherty. gun
ner's mate, third class.
1T appearing that those in the passage
way had been overcome by the smoke
and gases. A Girandy. seaman. was low
cred by means of a bowline and passed
up Kessler. Flaherty, and Toner. although
partially overcome himself Lieutenant
Mexican. on the sick list at the time. was
then lowered with a bovine around him
He brought up first his commanding Of
ficer and afterward Mr.. Lewis. being
himself overcome and having to be car
ried on deck. He was assisted in this
work below by Private 1. F. Thies. U. s.
NJ. c., and Seaman T. Cahey. While
these rescues were being made. other men
were with difficulty restrained from fol-
lowing their shipmates into the smoke
and gas-flled passageway.
Though Lieutenant Commander Roper
did not meet death in action against the
enemy his end was even more glorious,
as ne gave up his life. fully realizing the
danger he went into, in order that mem
Der of his crew might Hve-a heros
death"
In another report the executive officer
says:
81 deem # fitting that the gallant con-
duct OF Naval Cadet Lewis. in endeavOr-
ing to save life at the risk of his own
and to relieve his commanding officer Of
such hazardous duty, should be appropri-
ately recognized He fearlessly and un-
hesitatingly exposed his life, and that he
is alive today is undoubtedly due to his
youth and vitality. In a similar manner
it is deemed that appropriate recognition
should be given Lieut.. j. 5. Mexican, VINO,
though sick, and relieved from duty in
consequence, yet. after seeing the fatal
consequences of going down into the
smoke and gases, nevertheless unhesitat-
ingly proceeded below and aided by the
men of the crew, sent on deck his COM
manding officer and Naval Cadet Lewis.
Furthermore. too much credit cannot
be given to Ensign Holman, who, though
on the sick list, and relieved from duty,
went into the smoke and gaS-hlled pas
sageway, and so ably directed the men,
who daringly followed him. that they sue
cessfuIly subdued the fire..
Praise is bestowed also on Assistant
Surgeon r. w. Plumner and Assistant
Paymaster D. VI. Addison for their work
in resuscitating those overcome by smoke
Mai jor II. D. Wise, Forty-SeY5nth Infan-
try, who was Commander ROper's guest
at the time, is praised for his services,
and the behavior of officers and crew gen
orally is highly commended The execu-
tive officer says that Naval Cadet Lewis
owes his life in great measure to the aid
rendered him by Assistant PaymaSter Ad--
Olson. OF twenty-three officers and men
overcome by smoke, all recovered except
Commander Roper.