New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-06
Says NINE NAY BE DEAD
No Court Martial on Peek.ShIH En-
DIOaOn. 1t Is Declared.
WANT THE ARSENAL MOVED.


The dead in the Iona Island explosion may num-
Der nine instead Of six according to dispatch.
sent to the naval station in Brooklyn yesterday By
Commander Henry Morrill,. who il in charge OF
both the board OF investigation and board OF in
quest appointed yesterday to examine into the cir
cumstances surrounding the explosions. The report
which was dispatched from the scene OF the tx
ploson states that the doubt as 10 the exact mum
Der those killed Is due to the absence Of three
workmen who far have not been found
The opening investigation Of the boards indicates
it was stated good authority last night. that no
court martial will be held. and that responsibility
for the cause the explosions devolves rather on
George Morehead, OF TOmpkins Cove. one OF the
dead, rather than otto Fries. the gunner in
charge, as at first reported. The TribUne's in
formant added that no report OF the boards ind
ings would be submitted until week.
Coroner {. s. SiOat Of Haverstraw, declared last
night that Frederick DanielsOn. Il labOrer. who was
working with Morehead at the time OF the open
ing explosion in shell house No. g. and who. al
though blown through TIE roof. the only man
in the building who survived, had been detained as
a witness at the inquest, which would not be held
until next week. The Coroner added that he hoped
Danieson's testimony would bring the real
facts OF the
1t also became known yesterday that such has
has been the protest and apprehension AT Peekskil
Joues's Point. Haverstraw and Highland Fails
aroused by the catastrophe, and the realization
that had the central powder magazine blown ny.
death and disaster would have descended the
surrounding towns and villages, there is a strong
possibility that the United States government Will
move the Iona Island arsenal elsewhere
The two men who have been missing since the
hoIr OF the expIosiOn-brOthers by the name OF
Kcnney and who live at Verplanck s-were found
Yesterday alive and Ininjured at Ladyclth whittier
they had sped for safety at the time OF the first
defamation Portions Of the bodies OF Frederick
Locke OF Peekskin and Frederick Brown. of Hav-
erstraw were exhumed yesterday. Browns body.
practically intact was found beneath the doorway
In shell house No g. and portions believed 20 have
belonged to Locke's body were unearthed from
every part Of the island.
So far as can be learned the catastrophe was
caused by the explosion of a 13-nCh she'll which
was being bored in shell house No. 3. and not I'M
loaded from a truck. first reported
The investigating party under Commando MOI
reII composed OF Lieutenant Cleland Davis and
Chief Gunner G y. Magruder. constituting the
boa I'd Of Investigation, and Assistant surgeon shy
der and Acting Assistant Surgeon ". II. BLOCK the
two members of the inquest board arrived AT inc
island on a Navy Yard tug shortly after noon
From early In the evening until a late hour iaSt
night the committee went over the scene or the as
aster examining the ground and the precautions
observed and crOss-examining marines and LABOR
ers the island
from $4,000 $4,000. and for the most part are
pure conjecture
that the loss would not in any way Cripple the
the ammunition for the naval vessels in the North
Atlantic Squadron had been slowed there. ana Onls
a part Of the prOjectiles slowed there had oeel
destroyed