The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-14
DEPARTMENT Is NOTIFIED
Presidents Brother-in-law in
 Command.
Crew of After Turret and Handling Room Was Annihilated-Led by Captain Rescue Work
 Was Gallant.

Washington, April 13-The most serloua accident that has occurred in the Ameri- can navy since the blowing up of the Maine in Havana harbor in 1898, happened today on the battleship Missouri while she was engaged in target practice at d range about fifteen miles distant from the naval station at Pensacola.
 News of the disaster was conveyed tl the commandant at Pensacola by wireless telegraph from the Missouri and thence by him transmitted to Washington while ? the big ship was creeping back to Pensa- cola with the dead lying on her decks. The first account which reached Washington of the accident placed the number of dead at fourteen, nine men and five of- ficers, the latter being Lieutenant w. c Davidson, Ensign F. w. Wishart, Second Lieutenant J. P. N. Gridley, Midshipmaa w. E. T. Newman and T. T. Ward, Jr. Secretary Moody conveyed the message to the President 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 officers who were killed, so that they might not have to receive their first news from the morning newspapers. Short biographical sketches of them were prepared also. Nearly all the dead officers were in the flush of early youth.
 
 Lieutenant William c. Davidson was a native of Indiana and was appointed a midshipman from South Dakota, Septem- Der g, 1901. He was graduated from the naval academy in 1895 and assigned to the Olympia. He was promoted to ensign July 1, 1891, to lieutenant junior grade. July 1, 1900, and lieutenant, June 16, 1902 He was assigned to the Missouri when she went into commission and was sery- a.sms .RE4. AN< 4a.-. fxEm death His yEifs. Mrs Julia I. Davidson, resides at 1908 MeCulioch Street. Baiti- more, where a telegram was sent ail> nouncing the death of her husband.
 Lieutenant Ernest A. Welchart (junier gfade) was attached to the Cleveland, and 1t is assumed at the Navy Department that he was aboard the Missouri at the time of the disaster as an umpire during target practice. He was a native of Dam bury, Conn, and was appointed to the naval academy from that State, Sept. 6. Massachusetts, Marblehead. Gloucester, Helena and other vessels.
 Lieutenant c. P. N. Gridley was son of the late Captain Gridley who com manded the flagship of Admiral Dewey's squadron when he sailed into Manila Bay and fought the Spanish ships He was a marine officer on the Missouri. He was appointed to the Marine corps March S. 1900 from Pennsylvania. his native State. A telegram was sent to his mother at Erie Pa, advising her of the death of her son.
 Midshipman Thomas Ward, IT,, was son of General Thomas Ward who recent ly retired from the active list In the Adjtant Generals corps in the United States Army. He was appointed to the naval academy May B. 1899 from New York He completed four years course at the academy last year and was as- signed in a commission to serve his allot- ed two years at sea after graduation.
 Midshipman William T. Neuman enter ed the academy at Annapolis from Cali fornia September Is, 1899 and completed his course last year when he began a two years service at sea.
 One of The New Ships.
 The Missouri is the very latest of the