New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-15

sfrapdoor Tor each Of the two openings that viii
ehave the speed needed and yet not explode the
powder.
GUNS FIRED SLOWLY.
Il Is learned from unofficial information that
previous TO the accident there had been no
'blow-back" whatever: that the rapidity Of the
Ere OF al Of the Missouri's guns had been reia-
lively ve-y sloU-!n fact. only half rs rapid as
that on the Alabama. The turret roof was not
injured but one nan was blown overheard from
the turIet top
Cnloers at the Navy Department were Just
-rena-ling on the excellent reports That were
coming from the feet at target practice, and
noted with great satisfaction that the practice
In Workmanship had not been attended by an
accident. when they were appalled, by the re
poyt OF the disaster which overlook the Missouri.
The reports from Pensacola have been carefully
read and il is manifest that the subject OF gun
merry viii receive the gravest consideration, IN
view OF the fatality that has resulted from the
firing Of the big guns. The experts are seruu-
MIXING the accounts OF the disaster with a view
to finding some methods OF avoiding. or at least
minimizing, the danger. AS yet they are unWiiI-
ing to advance theories or suggest changes that
may lie made IN connection with the heavy ord
nance
Naval officers fear that the full facts Of the
explosion may never be known, since all who
were engaged IN firing the gun were killed, but
the circurnstantial evidence viii be sufficient TO
tell the expert mind just what happened.
From dispatch received at the Navy Depart
ment to-day, It is learned that number OF
grains OF powder were found uneXpioded In the
gun This shows that there was only partial
explosion OF the powder. though It does not
contribute much toward theory Of cause for
the accident.
Regarding the theory advanced by many
naval officers, that possibly there was an EFFORT
to fire too rapidly on the part Of the gun crew
Of the AIissourI's after turret. Rear Admiral
-Taylor, chief OF the Bureau OF Navigation, SAID;
81. Ihope and believe that we will find some other
remedy for this difficulty than by reducing me
raDiditv Of our fire. II feet OF three shlps
firing its guns al the rate Of three times a
minute fights another feet Of four ships hring
its guns two lines minute. the Meet OF . III
ehips Will be the victor IL all other CONDITIONS
: are equal. IN addition to this we have reason
10 believe that the Missouri not firing nearly
so rapidly as have many other OF our shlps
PRESIDENTS PRACTICAL SYMPATHY.
/: President Roosevelt has contributed 500 ana
the Secretary Of the Navy a like amount as the
nucleus of fund for the relief OF the dependent
: next of kin OF the enlisted men who lost their
3 lives in the disaster on the Missouri yesterday
The money has been placed in the hands OF Fay
master General Harris, who viii disourse IL
under the direction OF the Bureau OF Naviga-
s'tion. The President accompanied his check with
the following letter to Secretary Moody:
- Ny Dear RIr. Secretary: =.
used FOR the dependent kinsfoik the enlisted men
who have just been ked oh D02T s tne IN order
= efficiently 70 prepare for war. risk must De run
70 run in battle. and these men have died for Their
country as much as i the ship had been ia acuoH
= e. against inc enemy THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
/. The President also sent the following telegram
20 Rear Admiral Barker:
Am inexpressibly erieyed end shocked at the
ana tie oficeTs and men under you my profound
grief and sympathy.
q Secretary Moody sent the following telegram
TO Rear Admiral Barker:
learn with profound sorrow Of the irEspsFFa BE
loss your feet the navy and the country OF lhe
faithful and gallant officers anG men VINO 1 n1gi
: YOU convey the fleet my deepest sympathy
: MANY MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE.
: The following telegram has been sent by the
Secretary 10 the widow Of Lieutenant ". c.
Davidson and a similar dispatch TO the family
Of each OF the officers and enlisted men who
lost their lives in the explosion:
The President directs me to convey 70 you his
sympathy in your bereavsnenS n Ine oeth OF E9TF
n Permit me at the same tine 10 express my 9wa
sympathy. and 70 assure you that you have that
u '"' WILLIAM H. MOODY. Secretary.
President Roosevelt has received the follow
ing communication from the German Ambassa-
dor:
kindly accept the expression q my heartfelt
sympathy in the loss which America has suffered
IN the death Of so many gallant officers and men
8 Believe me. Nj President yours most sincerely.
STERNBCRG.
Count Cassini the Russian Ambassador. mas
sent letter TO President Roosevelt extressing
his regret ard sympathy for the accident.
The following cable dispatch was received by
Secretary Moody from the British Admiralty:
The Board Of Admiralty desire to express their
sS,iis ISe,t On 6ord ne Missouri and their great
regret at the loss Of life OF officers and men
This was diplomatic day at the State De-
partment and almost every one OF Secretary
Hays callers took occasion officially to express
the regret OF their governments at the terrible
accident
The following bulletin regarding the disaster
was posted at the Navy Department to-day:
The following wounded have died John T. J.
Donnelly ordinary seaman OrNel - Noe, Appren-
been reported as dead: James +. Knight, ordinary
. seaman; Halbert Edward Elliott master-at-arms,
The names in yesterdays dispatch. which do not
found 20 refer to the following: James *. Peter
con, boatswain's mate. first class; Herbert schel-
barth landsman.
The moment the news OF the disaster spread
throughout the country, kilograms from rela-
tives OF men on the Missouri began to pour
into the department. making anxious inquiries
for the names OF the victims. Some Of these
messages are extremely pathetic
On his arrival al the Navy Department to-
day, Secretary Moody gave orders that arrange
ments be made for free transportation OF the
bodies OF all officers and men who were killed.
II il is found that fund is available for this
purpose request viii be made 70 Congress for
q special appropriation
HARD TO FIX THE RESPONSIBILITY.