The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-07-27
.U.S.GUNBOAT EXPLODES
Gunboat Bennington Wrecked at San
Diego, California, Killing SO
and Injuring 49.

ihooO II III VIC PSuSO
history of the American navy, except
ing the sinking of the Maine in Havana
harbor, occurred in San Diego bay
shortly after 1920 a. m. today on board
the United States gunboat Bennington.
AT moment when the warship, lying
at anchor and with it's officers and crew
quietly attending to their duties on
board. was the object of interest to
hundreds of people observing it from
piers, pleasure boats, and passing ferry
boats, a cloud of steam suddenly burst
from point just forward of the smoke
stack. The spectators were Mortified
to see bodies and human fragments
hurled high into the air and scattered
over the surrounding water.
The outburst was accompanied by
rear as Of thunder and shock that
rocked vessels nearby. In an instant
the air was filed with shrieks and
bellows of pain from the wounded,
which could be heard ashore, and with
flying fragments of human beings and
pieces of the ship S superstructure.
The next moment the men were fight
ing, bleeding and crippled, in the
water against death in only less
sudden form from that from which they
had escaped, while rowboats, sailboats,
launches and tugs were being driven to
the rescue as fast as arms, wind and
steam could carry them.
A ferryboat, which was passing near
by, turned and fastened to render
assistance, it's own deck crowded with
frightened men and women, who saw
the havoc that had been wrought in a
twinkling. most horrible sight met
those who approached. In the water
men with blackened faces We're strug-
Cling, handicapped by injuries; others
on deck were covered with blood and
Crime, some dead, some wounded
frightfully, others working to rescue
comrades who We're yet below either
dead or dying. The smaller boats turn
ed their attention to those in the
water, taking them to the wharves as
fast as few had been taken aboard
the small craft. At the wharves pre-
parations were speedily made for tax
ing care of the injured in what by
this time was seen to be disaster of
awful proportions. Ambulances were
telephoned for, every express wagon
and driver who could be reached by
telephone was summoned. physicians
were notified and hospitals informed.
Within half an hour of the time of the
explosion carriages, buggies, auto
mobiles and street cars were bearing
burdens of victims toward the hospitals.
The sight which met the eyes of hun
dreds along the street was one never to
be forgotten.
Wagons with dozen wounded men
were not rare. One had eight sitting
or leaning against the side, holding in
their laps the heads Of comrades near
to death, all of them with faces black
with smoke and CRIME and many clothed
in nothing but trousers. Some OF those
whose bodies were bare, not injured in
vital parts, but suffering the agonies of
torn flesh, sat up with lacerated bodies
exposed to the wind. One, whose arm
was twisted and whose face and breast
were covered with blood looked at his
own hanging flesh and dropping blood
and muttered only: "My God: my
God!"
A score Of men with blackened bodies
were hurried through the streets to
places where blood could be stanched,
gaping wounds stitched, or more heroic
treatment given.
The Bennington was beached near
Spreckles' wharf and the work of TAX
ing out bodies is being prosecuted as
fast as possible. At u o'clock fifty
bodies had been recovered and more
remained to be taken out. They were
taken to undertaking establishments.
A barge has just brought ashore five
more bodies and reports that three
were waiting to be removed. Temper
ary relief has been rushed by the city.
All the wounded are now being cared
for and hospitals are overcrowded.
Commander Young and Surgeon Peck OF
the Bennington were ashore at the
time of the explosion. Lieutenant
Yates was in charge. Lieutenant Wade
was the only one of the Offices aboard
not injured. Lieutenant Sabine was
badly burned about the hands. Lieu.
tenant Yates was frightfully scalded
and is reported to have died. The
other two officers were injured, but
how badly is not known.
In the meantime more awful sight
awaited those who had fastened to the
ill-fated ship. from which steam contia.
/ ued to pour in great clouds. Every.
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