The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-17
Great Bravery Shown During the Fifteen Minutes Which
 Fire Ragged in TurTet
M'DADE AND WELLES
 WERE ESPECIALLY COOL
Captain Cowles Encouraged the Men By His Example and Saved Many Lives By His Calm
 ness.

Pensacola, Fla, April 16.-"Every of- ficer and man on the Missouri was a hero, and that too under circumstances which would try the bravery of the best man on earth,' said an officer of high rank here today who is thoroughly fa- milar with the circumstances of the ex- plosion of that vessel, and of the con duct of the officers and men during the fifteen minutes which the fire ragged in the turret and handling room. Informa- ton received today from the Missouri throws but little additional light upon the cause of the explosion, all agreeing that the rapid firing was the primary cause.
 The day brought forth many incidents of heroism displayed by officers and men. Two of the men now in hospital will receive recognition from the department for valiant services. These 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 un- doubtedly have gone to the bottom but for the act of these two men.
 They were in magazine D 25 when the first explosion occurred and sparks began dropping from the turret to their mag azine. At the time the trough through which powder is passed was open ard about four charges of powder on the outside, McDade saw the danger. know ing the " N-der on the outside would catch and unless the opening in the magazine was closed that too would explode, reached his arm through the opening and attempted to unfasten the hatch to close the opening but it refused to work.
 Placed Body In Opening.
 He then placed his body in ,Ie open ing until Wells could empty large powder can, and when this was done the can was showed into the opening partly closing it. The men then filled all cracks with swab, thus preventing any flames from penetrating the magazines. On deck men stood at their posts like real heroes.
 The strain was not of the kind when ship is in battle, but one more terrible for every man expected the ship to go up any moment by the explosion of the mag azines. Standing by the side of the men was the chaplain or the Missouri, who would occasionally encourage the men, saying, Steady boys" Not a man flinched, although death stared every one in the face
 Down below ir the deadly fumes which rendered many unconscious was Captain Cowles and a 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 Cowes has saved three men besides me-" The poor fellow died however. inside of fige minutes. An officer, speaking today saic: Never in my life have l seen such disc pline. courage and heroism displayed as was shown when that terrible accident oc- cured"
 There is absolutely no truth in the re- ports sent out from Pensacola that the Texas had narrow escape from blow back. The report that many assertions have occurred is equally false. Target practice is going ahead as though no such accident had occurred and the Missouri will resume her practice as soon as the court of inquiry is concluded
 Admiral Capps chief of the bureau of construction and repair today made per- sonal examination of the Missouri. With the exception of the wiring and slight damage to the hoists of the vessel re- mains uninjured.