New-York tribune., 1904-05-30
BRAVERY ON MISSOURI.
President Praises Conduct of Officers
and Men an accident.

Washington, May 29.-Secretary Moody has is
sued a general order containing certain extracts
from the report OF the Missouri court of inquiry
regarding the conduct of the officers and men Ft
the time Of the accident board that vessel on
April 13: letters from the President to thS Navy
Department. regarding the bravery Of the officers
and men of the Missouri, the extraordinary hero
ism shown by Chief Gunner's Mate NJ Monssen
Gunners Mate c. S Schepke and Acting Gunner
r. r. Cox, and also letter from the President to
the department expressing his satisfaction at the
behavior Of the chaplain of the Missouri Father
Gleeson. at the time of The accident
After reading the memorandum of the COM
mander in chief about the accident the President
sent this letter TO the department:
White House. Washington, May Il. 1904
To the Navy Department:
comnander % in % ehef Of the the North Atlantic feet Of
April %, upon the accident on board the missouri
In it Admiral Barker says THE disaster was ap-
palling but it developed heroes. History records
more heroic act than that of Monssen who
crawled through hole into the burning magaalne
discipline and marked personal courage"
Although all OF be saddened at so
lamentable catastrophe and though every effort
the chance Of its recurrence Yet it is matter of
profound qualification to ali who are proud of the
should have behaved so well under such trying
circumstances The weapons with which men now
make the ocean are so terrible, the mechan-
ism of our warships is at once so delicate and so
formidable. to make thorough training and prac-
tice in their both Indispensable and dangerous
Such war machines would in battle be utterly
experience their capabilities and how to utilize
70 tne hlgheSt deSree these anu fn o6r1S
which a certain amount Of risk is inseParabe; As
minimize this risk But after all such effort is
made certain amount of risk will stil remain and
the risk of actual battle is faced.
the d is precisely the spirit RIh was ca@mnd m
markedly on the Missouri, but also on the other
Cured on the Missouri every one aboard her knew
that any minute she might go to the bottom; yet
crew. Although the veterans aboard her were less
numerous than the recruits every man continued
10 perform MS duty with cool seifp9ssesslon anu
courage which gives us right TO feel grounds for
emergency in battle or otherwise would be met
Similarly. we have a right 70 be proud Of the fact
that on the instant resumption Of target practice
the craftsmanship If anything. showed a slight
thing TO have the Texas for instance. soon
she had rendered assistance to the Missouri. steam
out 10 resume practice with the great guns, ana
TO make one of the best records that had yet been
I congratulate and thank Admiral Barker and
those under him for the showing that has been
tain CowIes acting Gunner r. Z Cox. Chief Gun
ners Mate NJ. Monsssn and Gunner,s Mate t,S {; ;.
In the course Of letter TO the Secretary of the
Navy, after reading the report OF the court of in
quiry the President said regarding the victims OF
the accident:
These men died for their country hOnorably
as If they had died in battle against enemy.
We mourn their fate but mourn il only we
mourn those who fall bravely at the post OF duty;
their comrades. 1t one OF those accidents
against which we must guard with ceaseless vigil
ing, the risk of which cannot be entirely pre-
modern warfare. and which. therefore; must to
this extent be accepted as we accept the risk or
the service OF their country and their deaths were
in her honor. Living and dying they showed that
by those in whom the determination to do duty
well has become n part OF their being. On behalf
Of the nation pay tribute Of honor TO the brave
/ desire furthermore to thank Captain Cowles
and through him the officers and enlisted men un-
der him for having so borne themselves in this
said of them IN the language above quoted. I
gra tulate the nation because our ships manned
sSoIsg ~ Hg To or know that the honor Of the nation
will be safe in their hands Yours truly.
The Secretary Of tho Navy.
To each one OF tho officers and reported by
the court as deserving and Chaplain Geeson. the
Navy Department has sent copy of the general
order with a commendatory letter.
Specially commendatory letters have been written
by the Secretary to Cox, Monssen and schepke
and TO Monssen and Schepke medals OF honor have
been awarded. Because the law does not provide
for the awarding Of medal or honor to officer
OF the navy. could not be awarded 10 Acting
Gunner Cox.
The general order concludes with these words OF
the Secretary:
Little be added to heighten the praise which
all who read this order win bestow upon the
duct Of all concerned In this trying occasion but
the department feels that the service should be
congratulated on the possession of such officers
and men.
Secretary Moody has also written letter TO Rear
Admiral Barker transmitting IA letter from the
President congratulating the commander in chief
on his fine conduct, and that of those under his
command in connection with the Missouri accident
letter Of the President accompanied by from
the Secretary.