The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-19
The Vessel Would Undoubtedly Have
Gone tn the Bocxom But for tbs VAL
liant Acts Of Two Seamen-Every
Officer and Man Proved Himself a
Hero OF the Highest Kind-Ths
Strain Was Fearful. But No Man
Flinched-Captain CowIes Led h
the Rescue Work-The Chaplain
Encouraged the Acn-Reports Thas
Many Desertions Have Acc1rred Arc
False.

Pensacola Fla, April 1S.-"Every
officer and man on the Missouri is a
hero. and that too under circurn-
stances which would try the bravery
Iof the best man on EARTH" said an
officer Of high rank here to-day. who
lis thoroughly familiar with the cir
cumstances of the explosion OF that
vessel and the conduct of the officers
and men during the fifteen minutes
that the fire ragged in the turret and
|handling-room. Information received
to-day from the Missouri throws but
little additional light upon the Gauss
of the explosion, all agreeing that the
rapid firing was the primary cause.
but the day brought forth many Incl
dents of heroism displayed by officers
and men.
Two of the men now in the hospital
will receive recognition from the de-
partment for valiant service. These
two men are Seamen McDade and
Welles. While many others OF the
crew assisted in saving the ship from
total destruction by explosion Of the
magazines, the vessel would undoubt-
edly have gone to the bottom but for
the act of these men. They were in
magazine ID. rs, when the first explo-
sion occurred and sparks began drop
ping from the turret to their maga-
zine. At the time, the door through
which powder is passed was open.
land about four charges OF powder
on the outside. McDade saw the
danger, knowing the powder on the
outside would catch and. unless the
opening in the magazine was closed.
that too would explode. He reached
his arm through the opening and at
In . tQd n ofaGfan the catch To Cln4A
the opening. but it refused to work.
He then placed his body in the open
| ing until Welles could empty a large
powder can, and when this was done.
the can was showed into the opening
partly closing IL. The men then filled
all cracks with swab, thus preventing
any flames from penetrating the mag
aZine.
On deck, men stood at their posts
like real heroes. The strain was not
of the kind when ship is in battle.
but one more terrible for every man
expected the ship to go up any mo-
lmsnt by the explosion OF the magD-
zines. Standing by their side was the
chaplain of the Missouri. who would
occasionally encourage the men. say
ling Steady. boys" Net q man
lfinched, although death stared every
lone IN the face. Down below the
ldeadly fumes. which rendered many
UNCONSCIOUS. was Captain Cowles and q
lnumber of officers. One man who had
ibeen showed out of the handling
room said while dying in the arms OF
Ithe chaplain: Captain Cowies has
isaved three men besides ZEE" The
lpoor fellow died. however. in FIVE
minutes.
An officer speaking to-day raid:
Never in my life have / seen such
discipline, courage and heroism dis
ipIayed as in the case when that terri
lble accident occurred"
There is absolutely no truth IN the
reports sent out from Pensacola that
1.-THE Texas had a narrow escape from
la blow back. The report that many
desertions have occurred Is equally
false. Target practice Is going ahead
las though no such accident had oc-
Cured. and the Missouri will resume
her practice as soon as the court OF
Inquiry is concluded.