The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-30
FULTON PARTLY WRECKED
EXPLOSION INJURIES FIVE MEN ON
THE SUBMARINE BOAT.
One Is n Son of Gen. MacArthur-NOne
Is Seriously Hurt-VesseI Can BE
Repaired in n Few Days.

LEWES, Del, April 29.-An explosion of
considerable severity, which injured half
a dozen persons. occurred on the submarine
boat Fulton to-day as she was running
into the harbor of the Delaware break
water. The boat was bound from Brook
lyn to Norfolk. and was partly submerged
when the accident occurred. The most
seriously injured are:
LIEUT.. OSCAR KOHEN, of the Austrian
navy, severely bruised.
LIEUT.. ARTHUR MARTHUR, u. S. N,
cut about the head.
HARRY MOORE. assistant engineer, in
jured about the head.
c. B. MINER, assistant engineer nose
split
CHARLES BECHTEL, gunner, severely
hurt on head.
All the injured were sent to the United
States Marine Hospital, and after their in
juries were dressed they were discharged,
with the exception of Bechtel. He Will
leave the hospital tomorrow morning.
The explosion was caused by an accum-
ulation of gas, which had been generated
by the storage battery. Although the ex.
plosion was violent. the vessel was only
slightly injured She will be towed to the
Holland Company's station at New Suf>
folk for repairs as as the weather
mOderates. 1t will take several days to
put the battery in serviceable condition.
On account of the rough weather at sea
it was decided by the commander of ths
Fulton TO put into the Delaware break
water, and IL 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 Engineer
Miner, who lying beside the boilei
asleep, was thrown several feet away.
Lieutenant Macarthur, who is a OF
Major General Macarthur, and Gunner
Bechtel were at breakfast The formei
was hurled against the roof of the cabin,
injuring his head. Bechtel 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 es-
cape as the hold was rapidly filling with
gasoline fumes
Capt. Frank Cable, Lieut.. H. H. Merrill
and Boatswain Charles Berg were on deck
when the explosion occurred and signaled
the tug Storm King and the yacht Min
dora which conveyed the Fulton here for
assistance The steam launch Palacia be.
ing near also went alongside and took the
injured men ashore
Considerable bravery was shown by En-
gineer Saunders. After the explosion the
engines continued TO work. He wrapped
his head and face in wet towel and went
below and stopped them. After the explo-
sion the Fulton was towed 10 the govern
ment pier near the hospital
ne ullOH ltIl CdlbN f1ooh dl sou q CLOCK
Monday morning. Shortly afterward she
submerged and made nfJeen miles under
water. going at the rate of five miles an
hour OF Long Branch. She came to the
surface and made six miles hour during
the trip until the accident at the break
water occurred. She proved 10 be a good
seaboat and did not once require the as
sistance OF her convoy. The engines ran
continuously for twenty hours. Those on
board highly pleased with her per-
Torrance
LEwES Del. April 2s.-Capt Frank S.
Cable who was in command of the Fulton.
said tonight: The accident was an oc-
currence which could never be foreseen.
but which can be guarded against in the
future and which in no way affects the
eventual success of submarine navigation,
even while il has put quietus on this
particular trip.
Electric Boat Company, who was directing
the experiment, said: we can prevent the
recurrence Of such accident, and re-
garded from that viewpoint, IL was even to
be desired. though IL is expected OF course
10 be deeply deplored that any one was
hurt