The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-04-20
DAMAGE TO THE
IOWA SERIOUS
ACCIDENT CAUSED by THE PRE-
MATURE DISCHARGE or SHELL.
GUNS MUzzLE CUT OFF.

PENSACOLA, (FlaD, April lO.-The
damage to the battle-ship Iowa, caused
by the premature explosion of a shell in
the forward port twelve-inch gun, is
more serious than was thought when
the first report was made, and as a
consequence the big ship has been or
dered to the New York Navy Yard to
go out of commission. She steamed
down to the Pensacola Navy Yard to-
day, where she is fitting out with sup
plies and coal preparatory to sailing as
soon as possible for the north.
1t is feared that the steel supports
under the twelve-inch port turrets are
sprung to such an extent that they will
have to be removed though this cannot
yet be stated positively. The gun itself
is a total wreck. Although the gun
burst into numberless pieces, the end
of the gun is as smooth as If it had
been turned out of a shop, and except
that ii is about twelve feet shorter than
the starboard gun. it is hardly noti-
Ceable that an explosion has occurred.
According to the recOrt the exploded
gun was good for at least another year
of service, and reports that the gun
had been condemned are without
foundation.
An investigation of the explosion
shows that the accident was caused en-
tirely by a defective shell fuse, which
it is stated burned faster than was cal
culated. 1t is understood that the shell
exploded fully sixty seconds before it
was timed to go off.
The funeral of the three men who
were killed in the accident took place
today. The dead were buried i'm the
National Cemetery here with military
honors. companies of bluejackets from
all the ships of the squadron participant
ing in the exercises.
1t is understood that all of the in
iured men are almost entirely out Of
danger except First-class seaman Paul
Gought, who lost an eye and is in a
critical condition. The Iowa steamed
into the navy yard this morning
WASHINGTON April 1O-Because
of the meager details of the explosion
of the twelve-inch gun aboard the Iowa
yesterday which Admiral Higginson's
Navy Department this morning can
only speculate as to its cause. In ac-
cordance with the regulations, Admiral
Higginson, it is supposed, has already
appointed a board of officers to investi-
gate the accident and report. This re-
port may not arrive for several days.
Rear Admiral ONeil chief of the
| Bureau of Ordnance, has already is
sued orders for the transportation to
| New York of a new twelve-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 repairs.
Admiral ONeil said today: The gun
which burst was designed in 1898 and
manufactured in 1895 at the naval gun
| factory January l, 1903 the gun
had been fired 125 times Yesterday 5
accident is the first that has ever hap
| pened to any of the large caliber guns
of the Navy except in the case of a
thirteen inch gun on the Kearsarge,
the bore of which was injured by a pre-
mature explosion of a shell two years
ago. A lining tube was inserted in that
gun and today it is in use at the prov
| ing grounds.
SAN JOSE, April 1O.-Irving f.
| Trousdale, one of the seamen who was
| injured on the batle-ship Iowa by the
explosion of a she'll was a former resi-
dent of this city.