New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-01
THE FULTON IS UNDAMAGED
EXPLOSION INJURED NEITHER HULL
NOR MACHINERY-GAS IN STORAGE
BATTERY CAUSED TROUBLE.

Lewes. Del. April 80 (SpecaD.-Further investga-
ton by Captain F. T. Gable to the cause of the
explosion in the submarine torpedo boat Fulton,
confirms tho theory that he advanced last night.
namely. that the motion Of the boat in the heavy
spilled the sulphuric acid in the battery well
and produced gas which exploded. Not only is
the machinery of the Fulton intact but the interior
Of the boat is uninjured Captain Gable explains
the decision TO return 10 New-Suffolk Long Island
by pointing the condition of the batteries, which
were greatly shaken up by the explosion The
furniture of the boat wrecked and splintered
and the vessel is not now habitable. This morn
ing Captain Gable went to Washington TO confer
with Manager f. r. Frost and other officials of the
Holland company. When he returns, tomorrow
Friday the Fulton will start east in tow of the
tug Storm King. Captain Gable said this morning
that it will take several weeks to get the Fulton
into shape for a sea trip Her storage battery
weighs thirty-ive tons. 1t must be completely
overhauled before the boat is again ready for
The submarine boat the Adder is ready for her
government trial trip, at New-Sufok, and the
Navy Department may be asked to permit its use
the trip abandoned by the Fulton. The Adder
could be got ready FOR sea in a few days.
The Futon's explosion pronounced by Lieu
tenant oscar Kohen. Of the Austrian cruiser the
Szigetar, to be of those incidents that are to
be expected I'm all work He aboard the
Fulton representative of his government, and
says that he was greatly impressed by the perfect
control that Captain Gable had Of the boat at all
time. lie was aston.shed when he found that the
depth at which the boat sped along under the
waves was not a matter Of chance. OFF Long
Branch runs were made with from ten thirty
feet Of water the little boats deck, and Lieu
tenant kohen admitted that his fondcst dreams
We're OutStripped. He asleep at the time OF
the explosion. and his injuries were very trivial;
He laughed when spoken to about Them and said
that he pleased by the performance. of the
Fulton that he did not care for his slight cuts ana
bruises.
Lieutenant G. T. Nelson had his first experience
with submarine navigation, and ne also Is an en-
boats now fitting out at New-Suffolk He made
this trip at his own request. Lieutenant Arthur
Macarthur is command the Adder. He and
Lieutenant Nelson pronounce the trip a success
They call attention a feature of the boats per
Torrance that they regard important; The
Dor defence. and il Is highly improbable that they
would ever in actual service be called upon to
make long trips At sea. They say. however. that
she is an excellent boat, and in their opinion
the accident which terminated the trip does not
in any way dctraCt from the merit of the wonder
ful made down the NeW-Jcrsey Coast
Those aboard the Fulton and her conveys were
elgted when they the torpedo boat destroyer
cambridge seek refuge behind the hreakwater
late yesterday. The cambridge is several times
the size Of the Fulton. but unable 10 remain
in the gale which the Fulton wcathercd
far the bTcakWatcT-
The injured yesterday all about their duties
to-day. except Gunner Charles BeCEtod, who
started for his home In Newly rk.
T. A Nerder. who Is in charge OF the conveys as
a representative of the Holland company. said
that the condition OF the boat after the explosion
running order the gasOlene tanks did not leak
drop and the electric light plant doing its
work. II is possible that the boat could go TO
with safety, but she Will not do this except In tow.