The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1903-04-16
DEADLY EXPLOSION.
Twelve Inch Gun Bursts With Fatal
Results.
INVESTIGATION BOARD APPOINTED.
Ths Damage to the Vessel Of Such q
Character as to Neeessitate Putting
Her Out Of Commission.


ment, regarding the explosion on the
Iowa of Pensacola was On Friday de-
ciphered. 1t was from Admiral Hig-
ginson and said: "Iowa's breach-load-
ing 12-inch gun burst in front Of
trunnions. three killed, four wounded"
Then followed the names given in pre-
vious dispatch. The Department ex-
poets fuller particulars. Another dis
patch was received as follows: "Pur-
cell, landsman. Keile. seaman. F. r
Berry, ordinary seaman, killed in Iowa.
will be buried at navy yard at Pensa-
cola
Because Of the meagre details Of the
explosion which Admiral Higginson's
| dispatch contained, officials at the
Navy Department can only speculate as
to its cause. An investigation board
has already been appointed
| Rear Admiral O'Neill, chief OF the
| bureau Of ordnance, has already issued
oruers 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 repairs.
Admiral ONeill said:
The gun which burst was designed
in 1893 and manufactured at the naval
gun factory, January l, 1905. The gun
had been fired 125 times. Yesterdays
accident is the first that has ever hap
pened to any Of the large calibre guns
Of the navy, except in the case Of the
13-iuch gun on the Kearsage. the ,,ore
Of which was injured by a premature
explosion OF a shell two years ago. A
lining tube was inserted in that gun
and 1t IS in use at the proving grounds
No reason can yet be assigned for the
accident. AS yet | do not know what
kind Of powder was used, or details as
to the Location Of the shell While the
accident may have been due to the pre-
mature explosion of the shell in The
bore, such a contirge is unlikely, as
shells have en- several occasions broken
up in bOres Of guns without any other
injury than the defacing Of the bore So
far as the bureau is advised all the
loWa's 12-inch shells are fitted with
base covers, with view to preventing
a possible prenatures explosion due to
the action Of the powder ,gasses.''
~ The bureau Of navigation has sent
telegrams OF sympathy to the families
Of the men killed and wounded in the
explosion. Acting Secretary Darling
sent the following dispatch Of SYM
pathy 10 Hear Admiral Higginson,
commander Of the North Atlantic feet,
at Pensacola:
please convey to the officers and
men Of the feet sincere sympathy CT
the Department in the less Of their
comrades by the unfortunate accident
on board the Iowa
: (SigneD DARLING"
Although it had been intended that
: the Iowa should be repaired at the New
FORK yard, the damage done by the eX-
plosiOn will probably make it necessary
to put the vessel out Of commission.
The damage TO the battleship Iowa
: caused by the premature explosion OF
5 a shell in the forward port 12-inch gun
has developed to be more serious than
was thought when the first eXamina-
ton was made and as a consequence
l the big ship has been ordered to the
New York navy yard to go out OF com
/ | mission. She steamed down to the
2 | Pensacola navy yard, where she is fit
} ting out with supplies and coal prepa-
: ratory to sailing soon as possible fol
r the North. 1t is known that three
a | decks including the upper deck in tbs
/ | forward part Of the snip, will have II
S be entirely removed and rebuilt. It is
/ feared that the steel supports under the
| Pinch port turret are sprung to sucl
an extent that they will have to be re
moved. though this cannot yet be stat
ed positively. The gun itself is hope
less wreck. Although the gun whicl
= burst went into numerless piece
+ the end of the gun is as smooth as if i
:. had just been turned out of a ship, AM
! except that it is about II feet shorte
-" than the starboard gun, it is hardl
s. noticeable that an explosion occurred
s, According to the record Of The explode
= gun, it was good for at least anothe
: year Of service and reports that th
s. gun had been condemned are withou
j. foundation.