The evening world., 1904-04-15
THREE HEROES SAVED
BATTLESH|P MISSOURI
One Man Jumped Overheard with a Bag
Of Powder and Was Drowned, While
Two Others Shct Off Flames from the
Magazine--Only One Survives.

PENSACOLA, Fla, April t5--That the battleshp Missouri was
saved from total anihlation is now proven to have been due to the
quick wit and sublime heroism of three enlisted men, two of whom met
death in their efforts to save their comrades and the ship.
These three heroes were J. f. Knight, an able seaman, who, with
Gunners Mate Monson, closed the magazine in the face of great danger
and so prevented the ship being blown up, and w. J. Bongard, an ordinary
seaman, who snatched a bag of powder from near the exploded gun and
jumped overheard with it. He was drowned.
Knight also is dead. He was at work in the handling room when
the explosion happened. The flames surrounded him quickly and he
realized that in half a minute they would reach the magazine. This would
mean the total humiliation of the ship and his fellows.
Ran Through Flames.
There were no officers near to command him. The chances were
his to take or run away from. Without hesitation he dashed through
the flames to the door of the magazine. At any instant the flames
might reach the magazine and he would be blown up with the ship.
Gunners Mate Monson va working with Knight in the handling room.
where there we're four charges of powder piled up against the open doors of
the magazine. When the explosion occurred above Monson grabbed one of
the charges and went inside with it. He then pulled the doors from the
inside, while knight pushed them shut. Monson thus helped TO make him
sdta prisoner.
When the magazine doors had been shut and locked Knight staggered
to the deck to report to the officers what he had done. The flames he had
inhaled were burning him, and he "a half mad with pain and excitement.
After reporting he became frenzed.
All Cheered the Hero.
When the officers and men realized from what a fate they had been
saved by Knight he val cheered to the echo. and arms we're thrown about
him. some OF the men actually kissing him.
When his frenzy had been subdued Knight became unconscious. He
was taken tO.the hospital and by careful treatment IA revived several
hours later. He managed to tell the details of what had happened in the
handling room. but the flames he had inhaled had done SO much damage
and the shock had been SO great that he could not live. He lapsedi into
Inconsistencies again and died. ..n -ra~,"
While Knight vas making his report m deck Monson al a prisoner in
me Magazine not Knowing whether thu ship Was on fire. sinking or THAT
Whatever might have happened there a no chance for him to escane from
the prison in which he had helped lock himself
The magazine as flooded to prevent explosion, and when the doors
were opened he was found standing in water up to his chin and bsre,v
Lfve.
In addition to giving knight and Monson credit for their heroic worL
sear-Admiral Barker also gives a heros place to Bongard in his ondal
report.
While Knight and Monson undoubtedly saved the ship. II is quite plstn
that she was threatened from more than one direction, and hat but for
Bongards brave action the efforts of Knight and Monson might have nasr
tn vain.
So great was the fear att the moment that the ship would he blown IN
by flames communicating with the magazine that the order vas yyon To
Deaoh Ter Ant she was headed for the shoals nine miles away.
Club start o n the north-bound train, leaving at noon TO-DAY for tboir
homes. A great escort from all the naval vessels in the barbor val
accompany the bodies to the train.
The Missouri will go at once to New York to be docked a. Nj a.. ~.
Court of Inquiry makes its findings.
COURT NOT likely TO BLAME ANY.
The Court reconvened on the batle-shtp to-day. Admiral Coeblan N,
the Caribbean Squadron, is President and the members have been sslec,ed
is far al possible from vessels of other squndrons.
1t is not expected. however, by those who re familiar with tbe Dir
tcumstanNs, that the Court will recommend any proceedings sin the case in
asmuch as those who ar presumed to be at fault weret the turret officers
and were killed by the explosion.
The bodies Il the victims ire being sent away a fast as their e,,tivos
make the requests. It is expected that some of the SIXTEEN bodio, hrrio,
yesterday will be dhsinterred.
HERO A ROOKL YNITE.
WASHINGTON, April d5-The following nnouncement was mad o.,
day at the Navy Department:
The w.. J. Bogard named in the despatch of Apru "a whose r.mo
eould no b. found N the records. has been identified AZ William 1osonhl
bonearu' residence Brooklyn, N. Y, next of kin James Bonpard brothar
NO. zo prospect avenue, Brooklyn. The mans bodv has not ho..