Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-05-01
EXPLOSION ON
SUBMARINE BOAT.
BRAVERY ON PART OF THE ENGINEER
Accumulation Of Gas Causes Much DAM
age on FultOn-FlYe Men
Were Injured.
BRAVERY ON PART OF The ENGINEER

LEwEs. DEL, April 29.-An explosion
of considerable severity which injured
half dozen persons, occurred on the sub
marine boat Fulton today as she was run
ninO into the harbor of the Delaware
breakwster. The boat was bound from
Brooklyn to Norfolk and was partly sub
merged when the accident occurred. Tie
most seriously injured are:
Lieutenant Oscar KOhen, OF the Aus
trian navy, severely bruised; Lieutenant
Arthur Macarthur, U. S. N, cut about
the head; Harry Moore, assistant engl'
neer. injured about the head; Z. b. Miner
assistant engineer, nose split; Chas. Bechol
gunner, severely hurt on head and body
All the injured we're sent to the United
States Marine Hospital and after thelI
wounds we're dressed they were discharged
with the exception of Bechol. lie will
leave the hospital tomorrow morning
The explosion was caused by an ac'
emulation of gas which bad been gener'
ated by the storage battery. Although
the explosion was a violent one the vessel
was only slightly injured. She will be
towed to the Holland Company's station
at New Suffolk for repairs as soon as the
weather moderates. 1t will take several
DAYS to put the battery in servlceable con-
dition.
On account of the rough weather at sea
it was decided by the commander OF the
Fulton to put in Delaware 6reakwater'
and it was while the boat, partly under
water. was rounding the great stone break
water that the explosion occurred. Nine
men we're in the hold at the time, and
three men on deck. Assistant Engineer
Miner, who was lying beside the boiler
asleep. was thrown several feet away.
Lieutenant Macarthur, who is a son oil
Maior.General Macarthur, and Gunner
Bechol. we're at breakfast. The former
was hurled against the roof of the caDiD'
iniuriup his head. Bechol was struck by
heavy debris. and was so badly hurt that
he was unable to care for himself and
others beloed him to the deck making
their escape as the hold was rapidly hlllng
with gasoline fumes.
Captain Frank Cable, Lieutenant ID.
II Merrill and Boatswain Chas. Berg were
on deck when the explosion occurred and
signalled the tug Storm King and Yacht
Mindora which conveyed the Fulton here
for assistance. The steam yacht Paacea
being near also went alongside and took
tie injured men ashore to the marine hos
pital.
Considerable bravery was shown by
Engineer Saunders. After the explosion
the engines continued to work. Saunders
wrapped his head and face in a wet toWe
and went below and stopped them.
After the explosion the Fulton wa'
towed to the government dock near th'
hospital.
The Fulton left Sandy Hook at 0;9C
Monday morning. Shortly afterward she
submerged and made 10 miles under watel
going at the rate of five miles an hour OF
Long Branch. She came to the surface
and made six miles an hour during th'
trip until the accident at the breakwate
occurred. She proved to be a good sci
boat and did not once require the assist
ance of her convoy. The engines ran con
tinuously for twenty hours.
Those on board were highly pleased
with her performance.