The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-17
EVERY MAN
 WAS A HERO Greatest Bravery Shown
 on Missouri. SPLENDID W0RKoFc0WLES Saved Lives of Several of
 the Crew.
SPLENDID W0RKoFcowLES
seamen McDade and Wells by Extra ordinary Nerve and clear-Headed- ness Prevented Complete De-
 struction of the Battleship

Pensacola, April 16.-"Every officer and man on the Missouri is a hero and that, too. under circumstances which would try the souls of the bravest> on earth" said an officer of high rank here today. who is thoroughly familiar with the circum- stances of the explosion, and the conduct of the officers and men during the fifteen minutes that the fire ragged in the turret and handling room.
 Little additional light is thrown on the cause of the explosion, all agreeing that the rapid fire was the primary cause
 The day brought forth many incidents of heroism displayed by officers and men. Two of the men now in the hospital will receive consideration from the Navy De- partment for valiant service -s
 The 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 undou ubtedly have gone to the bottom but for the act of these men.
 Two Seamen's Work.
 They were in magazine ID" 25, when the first explosion occurred, and the sparks began dropping from the turret to their magazine. At the time the trough through which powder is passed was open, and about four charges of powder were on the outside. McDade saw the danger. knowing the powder on the outside would catch. and unless the opening in the mag azine was closed. that, too, would ex- plode. He reached his arm through the opening and attempted to unfasten the catch, to close the opening, but 1t refused to work.
 He then placed his body in the opening until Welles could empty large powder can, and when this was done, the can was showed into the opening. partly closing fl. The men then filled all cracks with swab. thus preventing any flames from pene- trating the magazine.
 On deck men stood at their posts like real heroes. The strain was not of the kind when a ship Is in battle. but one more terrible, for every man expected the ship to go up any moment by the ekplo- sion of the magazines. Standing by the side of the men was the chaplain of the Missouri. who would occasionally encour- age them. saying steady. boys" Not a man hinched, although death stared every one in the face.
 Captain Saved Lives.
 Down below. in the deadly fumes which rendered many unconscious, was Captain Cowles and number of the officers. One man who had been showed out of the handling room said while dying in the arms of the chaplain. Captain cowles has saved three men besides me-" The poor fellow died. however. in five min utes.
 An officer. speaking today. said: Viewer in my life have I seen such discipline, courage and herolsm displayed as was shown when that terrible accident oc- cured"
 There is absolutely no truth in the re- port sent out from Pensacola that the Texas had a narrow escape from a blow back. The report that many assertions have occurred are false. Target practice is going ahead as though no accident had occurred, and the Missouri will resume her practice as soon as the court of in- quiry is concluded.
 Admiral Capps, chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair, today made a personal examination of the Missouri. With the exception of the wiring and slight damage to hoists, the vessel re- mains uninjured.