The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-10
IOWA'S GUN BURSTS; 3 KILLED
FRAGMENTS OF 12-INCH WEAPON
HIT A NESS CREW.

Defective Time Fuse Causes Q ProJecttle
10 Explode In . Forward Turres Gun
At Target Practice-FIve Men Wounded
ScriOusly-nree Decks Tern Up.
PENSACOLA. Fla, April s.-Ths explosion
OF a i2-inoh gun In the forward turret Of the
battleship Iowa this afternoon resulted In
the instant death Of three men and seri-
Gus injury to five others. The dead are:
First-Class Seaman Kiele. Ordinary Seaman
Porcell. Gunner's Mate Berry. The injured
are: First Class Seaman Caught, Ordinary
Seamen Thursdale. Brown. Mansdale and
Purucker.
The Iowa was in the Gulf at target prac-
tice with her heavy guns. and the forward
port i2-inch gun had been loaded to be fred.
The projectile had time fuse intended to
explode at loo yards. The report Of the
gun as 1t was fred was followed immedi-
ately by second report. the shell hav-
ing exploded prematurely. The gun WAS
wrecked, more than twelve feet Of 1t being
shattered by the terrific force Of the ex-
ploding shell.
Just rs the explosion occurred the call
to mess at II o. clock was sounded and about
twenty men had gathered for dinner on the
berth deck. The pieces Of shattered steel
went in all directions. Three pieces weigh
ing ton each passed downward through
the spar and gun decks to the third deck,
falling upon the men at mess. Three were
killed instantly. the head Of First Class Sea-
msa kiele being severed from his body.
Tie shattered pieces Of steel continued
through this deck to the armored or pro-
tective deck, where the thick steel stopped
the missiles from going further and strik-
ing the machinists and fremen. The
decks of the Iowa were torn as though they
were pasteboard. Had the explosion 90
Cured five minutes later the list Of casual
ties would have been greater. as the men
were coming down the gangway TO the
messroom when IL occurred.
The men In the turret we're not injured
and experienced but little more shock than
is usual when the large pieces are fred.
The cause Of the explosion 30 far as known
was a defective shell or fuse. The gun
was in good condition. having been fired
about a dozen times during the last two
days, and the officer In charge Of the turret,
Lieut.. Reed, had made an inspection only q
few minutes before the accident.
The Iowa was twelve miles out from
Pensacola when the accident occurred, and
she Immediately ceased practice and came
to the city, where the facts were reported
to Rear Admiral Higginson. Surgeons from
other ships Of the feet were signalled to
assist the surgeon Of the Iowa, and the in
jured were cared for The bodies of the
three men killed were brought ashore and
embalmed. They will be buried with mill.
tary honors at the navy yard.
There were several escApss from the
flying snissiles,. tbs deck being crowded
with men preparing to answer the mess
call. Some Of them had their caps carried
away by pieces Of the shells.
The explosion was the worst that has
occurred on q United States warship in
recent years. with the exception Of the one
on the Massachusetts, three months ago.
when seven men were killed.
WASHINGTON, April 9.-Assistant Secre-
tary Darling late tonight received a re-
port from Admiral Higginson, at Pensacola.
giving an account Of the explosion on the
battleship Iowa. The despatch was In
cipher. and owing to the lateness Of the
hour could not be translated. The Depart
ment. therefore. will not know the details
Of the accident until tomorrow morning.