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

The accident which destroyed more than
thirty lives aboard the battleShp Missouri OF
Pensacola on Wednesday was as costly as
many q decisive naval engagement In time Of
war The precise cause OF the disaster Is yet
undetermined and may never be established be-
yond reasona BILE doubt. Target practice was
going on. and one OF the twelveinch guns was
being loaded for the fourth time In the first
statement made by the ordnance officer In
charge tie belief was expressed that gases and
particles Of matter in combustion still remained
in the bore after the third shot that they were
blown back By the wind and ignited the powder
which had Just been inserted at the breech,
from which, in turn. burning material dropped
through the hoist shaft to the handling
room below and set off the four charges which
were there in readiness TO be sent up 10 the
turret 1t still appears probable that such was
the sequence Of incidents which suddenly re-
suited in a shocking catastrophe, but most of
those whose testimony would have been OF the
highest value, if they had survived. are gone,
and reasonable conjecture. rather than absolute
knowledge, may direct the findings of the court
Of inquiry.
The earliest dispatches suggested the suppose
ton that extreme rapidity in firing, due pos
siblv to an excess of ZEAL accounted for the
diSa ster; but later reports Indicate that the Of
fcers and men were not endea voring to make
new record for their new ship. 1t was also said
at first that some risk was taken IN engaging
in target practice with the big guns which can
not use fixed ammunition. at time when the
wind was strong and adverse But now we
hear that though unfavOrable conditions had
existed for several days, they had changed suf-
fciently TO justify the practice and that il was
a sudden shift Of wind which set the destructive
agencies at work. On these two points, at least
the inquiry may be expected TO she'd abundant
light, and there VIII be universal satisfaction e
& clearly shows that nc one was guilty Of negli-
gence or BAG judgment
Even if it should appear that the firing had
been so rapid as to import elements OF danger
into the target practice, due consideration would
be given TO the fact that accuracy and rapidly
in the service Of a ships guns are indispensable
factors Of success in naval combats that keen
desire TO attain the highest efficiency is a laud-
able motive and worthy Of encouragement that
capacity 10 achieve the best results in war can-
not be acquired without taking some chances
Of mishap in preparation for emergencies and
that the spirit OF emulation must be encouraged
to the uttermost within the limits OF presump-
tive safety. We do not say that such excuses
would be valid, for, since zeal must be tempered
with discretion in war. that qualification GER
tainly cannot be dispensed with In the course
Of military training. But nevertheless the
country would not harshly Judge those whose
mistakes had resulted from a high and loyal
ambition.
1t is keen qualification to know that, what
ever may have been done or left undone prior
10 the disaster, there was not the slightest de-
1 fault subsequently. There was not a sign Of
panic or even Of trepidation on the Ship The
men went to their stations instantly and quietly
III response TO the signal, and every one Of them
was eager TO join in the work of rescue in de-
iance Of all dangers. 1t is impossible to 1,raise
| Captain COwles too warmly for the readiness
the judgment and the noble courage which he
displayed in momentous crisis. All accounts
agree that his orders. obeyed with perfect pre-
cision, saved his ship and hundreds Of lives. II
was an admirable example Of knowledge skill
and fordtude on the part OF a commander sud-
denly charged with supreme responsibilities.