Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-11
REASON UNKNOWN.
Naval Officials Do Not Explain
Iowa Disaster.
Funeral Of the Men Killed Took Place,
Yesterday.
BattIeship Will Go Out of Commission,
Pending Repairs.

Washington, April 1O.-Because of
the meagre details of the explosion of
the 12-inch gun aboard the Iowa, yes
terday, which Admiral Higgins dis
patch contained, officials at the navy
department can only speculate as to
its cause. In accordance with the reg
ulations, Admiral Higgins, it is sup
posed, has already appointed a board
of officers to investigate the accident
and report.
Rear Admiral O'Neil, chief of the
bureau of ordnance, has already is
sued orders for the transportation to
New York of a new 12-inch gun which
is now at the Washington navy yard
and it will be placed on the Iowa when
that vessel comes to New York for re-
pairs. Admiral O'Neil said, today:
1.-The gun which burst was designed
in 1893 and. manufactured in 1895 at
the naval gun factory. Jan. 1, 1908, the
gun had been fired 120 times. Yester-
days accident is the first that has ever
happened to any of the large calibre
guns of the navy except in the case of
a 13-inch gun on the Kearsarge, the
bore of which was injured by a pre-
mature explosion of a she'll two years
ago. A lining tube was inserted in that
gun and today it is in use at the prov
ing grounds,
mo reason can yet be assigned for
the accident, as it is not known what
kind of powder or shell was used nor
have we the details as to the location
or character of the fracture or of the
condition of the bore of the gun, all
of which will have to be considered.
So far as the bureau is advised, all the
Iowas 12-inch shells are fitted with
base covers with a view to preventing
possible premature explosion due to
the action of powder gases"
The bureau of navigation has sent
kilograms of sympathy to the families
of the men killed and wounded in the
explosion.
A second dispatch dated today was
received at the navy department from
Admiral Higginson at Pensacola, today.
1t reads:
"E. l.. Purcell landsman; Wellace f.
Keile, seaman; F. L. Berry, ordinary
seaman, killed on Iowa, will be buried
at Navy yard (Pensacola).
(Signed) "Higginson."
Pensacola. Fla, April 1O.-The inves-
| ,igation of the explosion on the battle
ship Iowa which occurred in this port,
Yesterday. resulting in the death of
three and the serious injury of four
others shows that the accident was
| caused by defective shell fuse which
| il is stated exploded the shell fully 60
| seconds before it was timed to go on
An examination of the ship, this
morning, shows that the bursted gun IS
| beyond repair, and that the Pinch
| forward turrct is damaged. Portions
of the deck where pieces of the heavy
gun tore through will be replaced.
The funeral of the three men who
| were killed in the accident took place,
| this morning. The dead were buried
| in .he National cemetery here with
military honors. All of the injured are
out of danger except first-class Seaman
T! Paul Gought, who lost an eye and is
in a critical condition. The Iowa ar
rived at the navy yard. today
| Washington, April 10.-Acting Secre-
| tary Darling, today, sent the following
| dispatch of sympathy to Rear Admiral
| Higginson commanding the North At
| lanttc fleet at Pensacola:
| please convey to officers and men of
fleet sincere regrets of department in
the loss of their comrades by the I'M
fortunate accident on board the Iowa.
| (SigneD "DARLlNG.
Although it had been intended that
the Iowa should be repaired at the New
York navy yard without going out of
commission the damage done by the
explosion probably will make it neces-
sary to put the vessel out of commits
|