New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-16
DANGER on WARSHIPS.
THE SYSTEM 1T FAULT.
Violation Of Regulations apparently
Caused the Missouri Disaster.
rrRoN THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Warrington April IA searching investi-
ration VIII be made BIZ the court os inquiry on
me Missouri aocicen: .nto the statement tina:
four charges OF ammunition were In the handling
,0oul OF the after turret. ready 20 be hoisted to
the turret when the explosion occurred This
fect has been reported IN the newspaper dis
matches from Pensacola. and seems 70 be borne
o.: by the statements OF q number OF officers
that & has been thought necessary, m order 20
fire IS rapidly the ships have been firing. to
keep several charges in the turret room. even
though It IS not in accord with the regulations
that no time may be lost in bringing the charges
from she magazine. II this is the case. it can
he said that this condition OF affairs Will be
promptly remedied. II was pointed out to-day
st the Navy Department by an official that the
custom prevailed on board the other ships OF the
uavy ot keeping several extra charges in the
handling room at target practice. and it was
said II this were so, the Missouri could
be held responsible
PERSONNEL NOT TO BLAME.
1T is the system and not the personnel which
would be at fault" said this official.
Several high officials OF the department had
not before been aware Of this practice. and ex-
pressed surprise at the reports that such was
the case No action will be taken at the de-
partment until full report Of the accident and
the findings Of the court have been received.
The commanding officer Of the Missouri could
not have known Of this practice, and naval off,
GERS are unwilling 10 blame their brethren in the
service who lost their lives on account OF this
recdessness. Every one agrees that the Mis-
touri had a narrow escape from destruction.
and it is highly creditable TO her officers and
men that regulations adopted for the safety Of
officers and men on shipboard were promptly
followed in a great emergency.
F1e al al of
mass OF mechanism required for handing pro-
5ectles ard powder While this did not con-
tribute directly TO the disaster, it emphasizes
ths necessity Of having officers thoroughly
IL derstand the construction and the eQuipfnent
OF vessels Of war. One officer pointed out that
officers now have so little shore duty that they
have slight opportunity 10 make themselves
fs17iliar with naval mechanism. and il is as
Important that they should know intimately the
design. construction and installation Of devices
Of war as TO be acquainted with their operation.
Notwithstanding the mystery which stun sur
rounds the cause of the disaster on the Mis-
souri,. the announcement was made at the Navy
Department to-day that there would be no sus-
pension OF target practice al Pensacola out that
The other ships which have not yet fired will 60
on the range az the regular time.
II was learned tonight that the Navy Depart
r,ent IS considering the appointment Of board
If distinguished naval officers to take up the
whole question OF target practice In the navy
pass on the efficiency Of the precautions at pres
ent in practice and make report TO the Secre-
tary showing. among other things. whether the
present system Of target practice should De moo
fed The name OF Admiral Dewey has been
unoficislly mentioned as the PRESIDENT OF the
board. but this has not been decided II was
SAID that the appointment OF such board neces-
earily will depend on the findings OF the court
~ inquiry. 80
Rear Admiral Caps, Chief Constructor OF the
Navy who has gone TO Pensacola 10 inspect the
Missouri viii look at once into the question or
eouipping the turrets with bottoms. Turrets on
+he warships OF foreign navies are fitted with
swinging bottom which closes when the charge
has been hoisted and the fact that the main
EXPLOSION on the Missouri occurred in the han
ding room. the burning powder having dropped
from the turret, has revived the criticism or
bOrtoulless turrets.
A telegram received to-day at the Navy De-
rartrnent announces the appointment Of Lieu
tenant NJ L. Bristol as judge advocate OF the
court az inquiry. Lieutenant Bristol is one or
the ordnance experts OF the navy, and an officer
C. ,,arlred ability.