The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-14
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
Admiral BarIzer's Dispatch to the
Navy Department.

navy department.
Washington, April 1.-THE most Sc
rious accident that has occurred in the
American navy since the blowing up of
the Maine in Havana harbor in 1898,
happened on the magnificent battleship
Missouri while she was engaged in
target practice at range about fifteen
miles distant from the naval station at
Pensacola News of the disaster was
conveyed to the commandant at Pen
saeola by wireless telegraph from the
Missouri and thence by him transmit
ted to Washington, while the big ship
was creeping back to port with the
dead lying on her decks. The account
which reached Washington Of the &C
cident was contained in the following
official dispatch:
Admiral Bankers dispatch read as
follows:
Secretary Navy, Washington: Five
officers and twenty-four men are dead,
two more cannot live, result explosion
on Missouri Three rounds had been
fired from after twelve-inch gun, and
shell had been seated and two sections
of powder rammed home, when explos-
ion occurred, killing every officer and
man in the tuTret and all but three in
the handling room"
The receipt of this message caused
CONSERVATION at the department. Sec
rotary Moody conveyed it to the presi-
dent at the White House and officers
and clerks at the department were
soon engaged, in making out dispatches
to the relatives and friends of the Off
GERS who were killed, so that they
might not have to receive their hrst
news from the morning newspapers.
Short biographical sketches We're pre-
pared also. Nearly all the dead Off
GERS were in the flush of early youth.
Lieutenant William c. Davidson is
a native of Indiana, and was appointed
a nidshipman from South Dakota,
September %, 1891. He was graduated
from the naval academy in 1895 and
assigned to the Olympia. He was pro
NOTED to ensign July l, 1897, to lieu
Genant (juniOr grade) July 1, 1900, and
lieutenant June t. 1902. He was as
signed to the Missouri when she went
into commission and was serving as a
turret officer at the time of his death.
His Wife Mrs. Juliet L. Davidson, re-
sides at 1908 McCuloch street, Balti-
more, where a telegram was sent from
the navy department announcing the
death of her husband. Lieutenant
Davidson served on the Brooklyn,
Monocacy, Concord Alliance, Frank
lin, and at the torpedo station at NeG-
port prior to his assignment to the
Missouri.
Lieutenant Ernest A. Weichert
(junior grade) was attached to the
Cleveland, and it is assumed at the
navy department that he was aboard
the Missouri at the time of the disas-
ter as an umpire during target prac-
tice. He was a native of Connecticut,
and was appointed to the naval acad-
envy from that state September 6, 1895.
He served at different times on the
Massachusetts. Marblehead, GlOuces-
ter. Helena and other vessels. He re-
turned to the United States in Deem
Der last, from tour in Asiatic waters,
and in January last was promoted
from the grade to ensign, attained in
1891. to lieutenant Ounior grade)- He
was assigned to the Cleveland March
z His father J. F. Weichert, is a resi-
dent of Danbury. Conn.
Lieutenant Gridley was a son of the
late Captain Gridley, who commanded
the flagship of Admiral Dewey's
squadron when he sailed into Manila
bay and fought the Spanish He was
a marine officer on the Missouri. He
was appointed to the marine corps
March 26, 1900, from Pennsylvania
his native state. A telegram was Sent
by the navy department to his mother
at Erie, Pa, advising her of the death
of her son.
Midshipman Thomas Ward, IT., was
a son of General Thomas Ward, who
recently retired from the active list
in the adjutant generals corps in the
United States army. He was appoint
ed to the naval academy May %, 1899
from New York in which state he was
born. He completed d four years
course at the academy last year an6
was assigned in commission to serve