Evening journal., 1905-07-22

of the stricken warship. The government
launch General De Russey and many
other launches and water craft which
were near the scene at the time also
rushed to the assistance Of the Benning-
ton.
By the time the Ramona reached the
Bennington many of the sailors Of the
Bennington, who had jumped into the hay
TO escape the scalding steam, had been
rescued by small craft The removal Of
the wounded from the ship was conducted
In perfect order. The crew OF the De
Russey and the other boats aided in pick
ing up the wounded sailors and transfer
ring them to shore
The news of the explosion spread over
the city rapidly First reports said that
half the crow had been killed. The hurry
ing of ambulances and carriages of every
description which had been summoned ad-
ded 10 the excitement. Every physician
who could be reached by telephone was
called to the water front. Within a short
time a score Of physicians were attend
ing the wounded.
Most Of the dead and injured were taken
ashore. where the undertakers and physi-
clans were assembled.
Tho bodies of many of the men taken
from the wrecked interior of the ship
were mutilated almost beyond recognition.
The faces of many were covered with
blood and ashes. Some bodies may never
be identified.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS ASHORE.
Temporary quarters ashore were ar
ranged for the wounded and sixty citizens
volunteered and hurried in launches to the
relisf OF those on the ship. Some Of the
volunteers were unable to stand the sick
ening sight which met their gaze on the
Bennington.
As fast as the wounded could be re-
moved they were hurried in ambulances,
carriages wagons and automobiles to
the hospitals. For a long time the hot
steam prevented access 10 the space be-
tween decks. where most Of the dead
bodies lay. and II was not until late in
tha. .afternoon hat the last were removed
from the boiler rooms. Several bodies
were 50 tightly wedged IN BY a huikhead
that the woodwork had TO be hewed away
TO free them.
When the explosion occurred the en-
gineer was inspecting the boilers. He was
not seriously injured. officers and mer
who were able TO assist in rescue acted
in brave and collected manner.
: Pumps were manned TO keep the water
from the upper compartments. the maya.
zine was flooded and men fought theil
way throught the steam into the darkenet
hold. Many slightly injured sailors re
b tfa.aT In, chit tod fr,
cuing the nVre severely injured.
The ships inner works are a tangled
mass Of machinery. and the vessel will
probably have TO be dismantled TO re
pair the injuries. if. indeed. it is not 4
total loss.
Lieutenant Yates executive officer II
charge Of the Bennington at the time o
the disaster. was in the aft cabin. II,
rushed out. TO be met by a binding
scalding cloud of steam as 1t swept tn
vessel. Speaking Of the occurrence, h,
said:
Il must have remained seated in m.
chair several seconds after it occurred
and did not know what had happened.
then rushed out and the steam. evei
at the extreme after part Of the shir
was so dense that 1 could not get
breath of air until ascended the rail-
I "As I ran forward 1 passed one OF on
boys crawling along. There was no tim
TO attend to Individual cases, as ther
were SO many About thirty Of the boy
were on the foredeck all severely wound
ed. I called for men to man the boats
and only a dozen men, including officer.
responded at that moment. All of tn
rest were injured blinded or had bee
driven over the side by the scaldin
steam"
The Remington arrived at San Dieg
last Tuesday. after a cruise to Honolul
and back. She sailed from San Francisc
to the Hawaiian Islands on May II, arri,
ing at Honolulu on the 25th of May. TIL
J trip there was merely a cruise and /
pursuance with the policy Of the Nav
Department to have a warship visit IN
Hawaiian group as often as possible. o
July . the Remington sailed for sa
) Diego, arriving there on last wednesda,
the 18th.
! The Bennington is one Of the first We.
sells of the new navy In its time it wa
/ considered one Of the best vessels of il
/ type. The ship is equipped with what
known as the Scotch type of boiler
. Unlike the boilers in the Varships bein
! built to-day, the Bennlngson's boilers an
$ equipped with "hre tubes instead ,
5 the water tubes" OF more modern boi
ers