New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-23
HER0ISM ON THE MISSOURI
Captain CO5cles Tells of Daring
Work 4fter the Disaster.

Washington. April 22-Captain w s. Cowles
commander Of the batteship Missouri in his
port on the disaster which occurred his ship,
made public the Navy Department to-day,
tells Of the deeds of personal bravery and of the
acts Of heroism which characterized the conduct
Of officers and men. and of the total disregard Of
danger displayed in the work of saving the ship
and rescuing the imperilled men. He also gives
many interesting details not heretofore pub
lished. Captain Cowles says.
At IL O'Clock a. m on April IL off Pensacola.
Fla, while at record practice Range No. ;,
and after the fifth shot from the left gun, after
Iufrej. had hired, ] heard an explosion. looked
aft, and saw a great flame bursting from the
after turret Sounding fire and collision quar-
ters, 1 directed Lieutenant Commander +. X.
anchored her in five and one-half fathoms. The
other ships or the range followed US and offered
every assistance. and were ready 10 save lives.
as they probably expected us to blow up. be-
lieved the ship TO be in imminent danger. and
went quickly to the fire, found the turret mpos-
sihle 10 enter; streams of water were already
directed in il. All entrances were barred with
The dead and dying. Two on top of turret. one
calling for help, and every one trying 70 reach
him. Passing around the turret. I saw Father
Gleeson tthe chaplain). who offered TO send "A
wireless for me to the admiral. and ] went be-
low, reached the berth and splinter deck, and
found Lieutenant Commander J. NJ. Orchard
directing streams of water below into the upper
and thence overfowing into the lower handling
room. in addition to those directed below from
the turret by Lieutenant W. r. White. Met
Runner Cox. who said.
Magazines all flooded; fire not vet under con-
troll"
Then Lieutenant c Davis. coming up the lad
der. said There is at the foot Of this
ladder who is alive and helpless" ] went down
and felt about, found J. T. J. Donnely. ordinary
seaman. and brought him up being assisted by
list, who had thrown away cTutch. Mr.. Davis
mentions this man especially. l afterward re-
turned and pulled out three more. whom / could
not recognize. and finally ordered up Midship-
man A G cafee. who herocally persisted In
remaining in the lower handling room up to his
neck in water and much overcome by the fumes.
He had be led out He afterward resumed
his place on deck and, in a very poor condition.
assisted the navigator. These three-Lieutenant
Davis. Midshipman Caffee and Chief Machinst
CrOfton-Came under my immediate observation.
Lieutenant William ]. Scott was first In the
tuIret. followed by Lieutenant Il. T.. Earl Lieu
tenant Marshall and Paymaster Dyer remaining
on top to help get out wounded who came from
the tuTret. Lieutenants Crank and Castleman
gave water from below at once. Chief En-
gineer Bieg at the engines, and Lieutenant
Castleman H. the hreroom- All the midshipmen
were ouSN- Every one was somewhat afected
by the fumes. Lieutenant Commander Orchard
and Lieutenant Davis especially. Mr.. Cox
up ana down everywhere. looking out for posi-
bic flames where smoke still continued after the
fire was under control the fire 10 be under
control such point must he out. Father
Gleeson was everywhere assisting every one DIT
Urie and his corps all looking after the wounded
and dying Lieutenant Crank and Midshipman
Halsey helped him all night Surgeon Uric fell
down the hole and hurt himself badly. and no
one was the wiser until all over. MdshiP-
shlpman Rodgers We're all busy at their posts
Every one. officers and men. cool and col
leCtCd, and every one helped lntegenty.
1t is shown by the report that Master-at- Arms
Elliott died while going 10 the rescue Of others,
and that ship Filter Burgess and Electrician
Leary injured while doing rescue work
Those who escaped from the handling room and
were still living at the date OF the report. April
1G, were: J. NJ McDade, ordinary seaman; T.
Starr. seaman T. e. Schaub apprentice: w. s.
Wells landsman. The names of the dead are
given in two classes-those who died at their
posts 81 duty IN the turret. nineteen being
named. and those who died At their posts IN the
handling room. twelve being named