The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-16
NAVAL RULES VIOLATED
BY ILL-FATED GUN CREW
OF THE BIG BATTLESH|P
Four Charges of Powder Were in
the Handling Room Instead of
the Magazine.
MATTER TO BE PROBED
Court OF Inquiry Now in Session
Making Searching In
vestigation.
TUG CAPTAINS STORY
Saw Mangled Body Shoot Into
the Air After the Disastrous
Explosion.
MATTER TO BE PROBED
TUG CAPTAINS STORY

WASHINGTON. April 15.-Searching in
vesugation Will be made by the court OF
inquiry on the Missouri regarding the state
ment that four charges of ammunition
were In the handling room of the after
turret of the Missouri ready TO be hoisted
10 the turret at the time the explosion oc-
Cured. This fact has been reported In
the newspaper dispatches from Pensacola.
and seems TO be borne out by the state
ment of a number of officers that IL has
been thought necessary in order to fire as
rapidly our ships have been firing TO
Keep several charges in the target room,
even though 1t Is not in accord with the
regulations. that no time may be lost in
bringing the charges from the magazine.
If such be the case, IL can be stated that
this condition of affairs will be promptly
remedied.
1t was pointed out to-day at the Navy
Department by an official that the custom
prevailed on board the other ships of the
navy OF keeping extra charges in the ham
ding room during target practice, and 1t
was said - this were SO no one on the MIS-
souri, could be held responsible. 1T is the
system and not the personnel which would
be at fault" said this Official.
Several high officials of the department
had not bee" before aware of this prac-
that such was the case. No action will be
taken at the department until full report
of the accident and the findings of the court
have been received.
Notwithstanding the mystery which still
surrounds the cause of the Missouri accl-
dent the announcement was made at the
Navy Department to-day that there would
be no suspension of target practice at
Pensacola but that the other ships which
have not yet fired will go on the range at
the regular time.
1t was learned tonight that the Navy
Department is considering the appoint
ment of board of distinguished naval Of
ficers to take up the whole question or
target practice in the navy, pass upon the
practice and make a report to the secre-
tary. showing among other things whether
the present system OF target practice should
be modified. The name of Admiral Dewey
has been unofficially mentioned as the
president of the board, but this has not
been decided on. II was said. that the APP
pointment of such board necessarily will
depend on the findings of the court of in
quiTy.
Rear. Admiral Capps.. chief constructor of
the navy. who has gone 10 Pensacola to in
spec. the Missouri. will look into
~the question OF equipping the turrets with
bottoms. Turrest on war ships of foreign
navies fitted with a swinging bottom
which closes when the charge has been
hoisted. The fact that burning powder
dropped from the turret, has revived the
criticism of our bottomless turrets.
telegram received to-day at the
Navy Department announces the appoint
ment of Lieut.. l.. Nj. Bristol as judge ad-
vocate of the court of inquiry. Lieut.. Bris-
tol is one OF the ordnance experts of the
navy and an officer of marked ability.