The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-30
EXPLOSION
 ON FULTON Half a Dozen Persons are
 Injured. VESSEL NOT BADLY HURT
Was Partially Submerged
 When Accident Occurred.
Lieut. Oscar Kohen of the Austrian Navy and Lieut.. Arthur Nc Arthur, U. S. N, Among Those
 Who Received Injuries.

Lewes, Del, April 39.--An explosion of considerable severity which injured half dozen persons occurred on the subma- rine boat Fulton today as sfe was run- ming into the harbor of Delaware break water The boat was bound from Brook lyn to Norfolk and was partly submerg- ed when the accident occurred. The most seriously hurt are:
 Lieutenant Oscar Kohen of the Austrian navy, severely bruised; Lieutenant Arthur Macarthur. u s. N., cut about the head; Harry Moore. assistant engineer. tant engineer. nose split; Charles Bechtel gunner severely hurt on head.
 All the injured were sent to the United States Marine Hospital and after their injuries were dressed they were discharg- cd with the exceptional of Bechtei. He will leave the hospital tomorrow.
 The explosion was caused by an accu- mutation of gas which had been generated by the storage battery. Although the explosion was violent one, the vessel was only slightly injured. She will be lowed to the Holland Company's station al OuuOfh TUT repdirS. II VIII tdhe several days to put the battery in ser viceable condition.
 On account of the rough weather at sea it was decided by the commander of the Fulton to put into Delaware Breakwater and it was while the boat partly under water. was rounding the great stone breakwater that the explosion occurred. Nine men were in the hold and three men on deck at the time. Assistant En- gineer Miner who was lying beside the boiler asleep was thrown several feet away. Lieutenant McArthur who Is & son of Major General Macarthur and Gunner Bechtel were at breakfast. The former was hurled against tht roof of bsisesseabin, inJu1ing l1ls head. Btchtel was struck by heavy debris and was so badly hurt that he was unable to care for himself and others helped him to the deck, making their escape as the hold was rapidly filling with gasoline fumes.
 Captain. Frank Gable. Lieutenant H II. Merriman and Boatswain Charles Berg were on deck when the explosion occur red and signalled the tug Storm King and the yacht Mindora which conveyed the Fulton here for assistance. The steam launch Palacea went alongside and took the injured men ashore. Considerable bravery was shown by Engineer Saun- 
 continued to work He wrapped his head and face in a wet towel and went below and stopped them. After the ex- plosion the Fulton was lowed to the gov ernment pier near the hospital.
 The Fulton left Sandy Hook at S:3O Monday morning. Shortly afterwards she submerged and made fifteen miles under water. going at the rate of five miles an hour off Long Branch She came to the surface and made six miles an hour during the trip until the acct- dent occurred. She proved to be good sea boat and did not once require the assistance of her convoy. The engines ran continuously for twenty hours. Those on board were highly pleased with her performance.
 Captain Frank s. Cable. who was in command of the Fulton said tonight: The accident was an occurrence which could never he foreseen, but which can be guarded against u the future and which in no way affects the eventual success of submarine navigation, even while 1t has put quietus on this particu- lar trip"