Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-24
RIGID INVESTIGATION
To BE Made-Every Attention Ordered
Given the Survivors.

department, today, to receive kilograms
from San Diego regarding the Benning-
ton disaster and were prepared to
meet any requests that might come
from that city where SO many sailors
are in hospitals as a result Of the ex-
plosion. Acting Secretary of the Navy
Darling came in from his country home
and was at the department.. today. He
has sent to the President copies of all
kilograms received from the naval
officers at San Diego and full account
of all that the department has done.
c. B. Means. F. E. Mccullough and
o. p. Kindleberger of the navy were
ordered by the surgeon general from
San Francisco to San Diego.
Rear Admiral Goodrich, commander
in-chief Of the Pacific station, who Is
expected to reach San Diego, Thurs
day. is clothed with full authority to
order such investigator as he may
deem necessary.
In kilograms to the department from
Captain Drake that officer announced
that he expected eventually to float the
Bennington. He stated also that he
would need two more watch officers to
relieve those who have been in con-
slant duty since the disaster The de-
partment at once ordered Lieuts.
Mitchell and Larimer on the receiving
ship Independence at Mare Island, to
proceed forthwith to San Diego.
Captain Drake says the surviving Of
ficers and crew have been doing noble
work and it is shown by his kilograms
that the officers have remained aboard,
but because the crews quarters are
uninhabitable, it has been necessary to
quarter them in the army barracks.
Acting Secretary Darling has given
Captain Drake full authority to employ
all civilian doctors necessary and TO
purchase all medical supplies needed
and to take all measures required to
relieve the suffering of the wounded
and to care for the dead.
Following is one of the kilograms re-
ceived by the department from Cap
tain Drake:
Find Bennington lying easy on mud
bank, gun deck aft awash at high wa
ter. Centrifugal pump lowered water
SO as to recover bodies in fire room.
Expect 20 plug bottom blow and even
tually float ship, stopping minor leaks.
Will ship to Mare Island per Iris all
unnecessary equipment, ammunition,
guns, mounts. except main battery.
Board of investigation ordered to
determine extent of damage to hull and
engines. Find all officers and crew
doing noble work. Will require at
least two more watch officers to re-
lieve present exhaustion from constant
vigil and work. Officers live on board.
Crews quarters not habitable, quarter
ed and fed by contract in army bar
racks adjacent to ship. working par
ties on board constantly"
Another telegram from Captain
Drake follows:
Past Assistant Surgeons Peck and
Smith have made inspections OF
woun led in hospital under my orders
Present condition of many patients
serious. Strict medical attention ur-
gent. Request authority to employ
such civilian doctors as necessity de-
mands under supervision Of Smith,
whom l have placed in charge of the
wounded. Also request authority to
purchase such medical and surgical
dressings as required. Have visited
the wounded in army barracks, Agnes
anu ~. OoSCPi
who can be moved will be concentrated
in army barracks. Serious cases left
in present hospitals until able to be
moved. Am at present proceeding I'M
der above conditions as the necessity
demands it."
The following telegram was sent to
Capt. Drake.
you are given full authority to en-
ploy civilian doctors. purchase such
medical supplies as may be necessary
and take any measures in your dis
erection for alleviating the sufferings
of the wounded and caring for the dead.
(Signed) CHARLES H. DARLING.
Acting Secretary of Navy"
Captain Drake. today, reported to the
department from San Diego the recoy-
cry of the bodies of Frank De Curtoni.
oiler, and Dwight N. Holland, fireman,
second class, from the wreck, and in
another telegram he announced that
the bodies of c. s. Carter. fireman, Sec
ond class, and an unidentified sailor
had been recovered from the ships
hold.
The revised list as given out, TODAY.
makes total of 81 dead Identified off,
cially reported to the department and
one unidentified body.