Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-21
Three More Victims of the Terri
BILE Disaster on Battle.
ship Missouri.
GUNNER'S MATE A HERO
Jumped into Magazine ana Closed Door
behind Him-Savcd Entire Dcstruc.
tlon Of the Ship by ExploslOn-
Ship Badly Dnmnged-run-
cral Of II Senmcn Held

Pensacola. Fla, April li.-That the bat
teship Missouri had narrow escape
from being blown to pieces by the explo-
sion of Il magazine and also being beach
ed. came to light to-day.
Capt w. S. Cowles prevented the beach
ing when the vessel was within $50 yards
of the beach by ordering the ships course
changed.
Chief Gunner's Mate Monson saved the
ship and lives of over 600 men by jumping
into the open magazine and closing the
door behind him. 1t is stated that when
the officers heard the explosion in the tur-
ret they realized the magazine would next
explode and headed the ship for the
beach Captain Cowles quickly stopped
the plan and put the ship back to sea.
The big magazine door was open when
the explosion occurred, and standing
against it were four charges of powder.
Without q moments hesitation Monsoon
showed these aside and jumping into the
the magazine pulled the door closed after
him.
NEARLY LOST HIS LIFE.
The magazine was flooded and when
the men opened the door they found Mon
son barely alive, the water having reach
ed his neck. The damage to the battle
ship is much greater than was stated at
first. In addition to the large amount of
ammunition ruined by the magazine being
flooded. the after turret is badly injured,
the top being burned away and all brass
work melted inside The hoist is II charred
mass, and the mechanism of the guns is
completely ruined. The estimated damage
caused by the explosion will reach $50 600.
The total list of the dead now numbers
g., one man having died last night and
two men to-day.
Cured this afternoon, fully 5000 men be-
ing present Every place of business here
was closed for the afternoon.
The bodies of the officers and eight OF
the scamen were shipped to their former
homes tonight and the others are being
held to await advices from relatives.
The Missouri will go to New York to be
locked as soon as the court of inquiry
makes its findings.
One man of the turret crew is missing.
1t is the opinion he was either blown
overheard or else escaped from the turrot
and jumped overheard crazy from the pain
uni excitement that prevailed on the ship.
CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION.
Export target officers on the vessels in
pot say the explosion was the result of
T. blow lack caused by the wind blowing
| the flames back from the mu2zle of the
| gun and through the open breech thus
lgnitinp tho powder charge being hoistcd.
Captain Ccwles and Lieut.. Hammer,
ordinance oflrcr, had taken extra pre-
CautlOrS AGAINST Sticn an acCl1cnt and Tor
three days 40 firing with large pieces was
done on account Of the wind being from
of shore. Yesterday morning the wind
shifted and the officers deemed it safe
to commence firing. Lieut. Hammer had
remained in the uirret until the first
string Of shots had been fired in rapid
succcssion He thought it safe to ALLOW
continuation of the rapid firing and left
the turrct to consult with target expert
on board on this matter. So rapidly was
the gun being fired ii is thought some
of the fire remained in the barrel and
the pow der being hoisted was ignitcd.
be known as there were no survivors
among the turret crew. a board of in
uuiry is in session but will not report Its
findings for several days.
Impressive ceremonies wer con-
Quoted over the graves of - seamen to-
day at the National cemetery in the
| navy yard. The Missouri moved down
| the harbor this morning to a point
near the yard and at noon the &c bodies
| were brought ashore. At . o'clock the
funeral procession moved to the GENE
terry, where hundreds of officers and
bluejackets We're present and the re-
mains inferred.
The bodies of five dead officers are
being held here awaiting advices as
TO burial or shipment home