Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-30
BENNINGTON DISASTER
Secretary Bonaparte's Action
on the Report.
TWO COURTS-MARTIAL
ONE FOR ENSIGN WADE FOR NEG
LECT OF DUTY.
Another for Commander Lucien Young,
Who Was in Command Of
the Boat.
TWO COURTS-MARTIAL

Secretary Bonaparte today made the fol-
lowing official statement in regard to the
recent disastrous boiler explosion on the
U. S. S. Bennington:
THE department has very carefully con-
sidered the findings and opinion of the
court of inquiry the testimony and exhibits
thereto attached, and the Endorsement Of
the commander-in-chief of the Pacific
squadron thereon. 1t has also considered
the letters of the court of inquiry COM
mandatory of Lieut.. A. f. H. Yates, U. s.
N. and Ensign Charles T. Wade, u. S. N,
and the Endorsements thereon by the COM
mander-in-chief of the squadron aforesaid.
The questions involved in this inquiry, be-
ing deemed by the department of exception
al interest and Importance to the service,
have been weighed with more than ordinary
care and deliberation.
One Finding Not Approved.
THE department approves the several
findings Of fact by the court of inquiry with
the exception of SO much thereof as is in
the words following:
THAT (on July 10. 19O5) the ship was in
an excellent state of discipline and In a
good and efficient condition, with the ex-
ception of her boilers, which were in fair
condition and efficient considering their age
(about fourteen years. and the use to which
they had been subjected
THE department does not consider this
particular finding sustained by the evil
dence; the proof tends strongly to show
that the enlisted force of the engineering
division had been permitted to fall into
habits of laxity and inattention in the dis
charge Of their duties and that at least
some Of this force were also imperfectly in
structed regarding their duties. In the view
of the department, the evidence establishes
further, that certain appurtenances, to wit,
the safety and sentinel valves of at least
one of the boilers, were not in an efficient
ondition for a considerable time previously
and, in the judgment of the department,
this evidence renders the statements that
the ship was in good and efficient con-
dition. and that her boilers were in fair
condition and efficient inappropriate to the
facts disclosed by the proof"
Court-Martial for Ensign Wade
The Secretary then discusses certain por-
tions of the evidence. which, he says, were
sufficient to justify the court in advancing
another charge of neglect Of duty against
Ensign Wade, and proceeds:
THE department approves the recon-
menda ton of the court Of inquiry that En-
sign Charles T. Wade, IT, S. N, be brought
to trial by court-martial upon the charges
contained in the opinion Of the said court
Of inquiry. Such court-martial is hereby
ordered but the judge advocate general is
instructed to include in the charges and
specifications the further charge of neglect
of duty hereinbefore set forth.
'Inasmuch as the court of inquiry did not
pass expressly in its findings and opinion
upon the conduct of Commander Lucien
Young, U. 8. N. commanding the u. s. 3.
Bennington, and the question of his re-
sponsibility for the explosion thereon and
consequent loss Of life and injuries to per-
sons and property, the department must treat
this silence as an implied finding that he
was not thus responsible. After very care
full consideration the department is COM
PEELED to disapprove this implied finding"
Commander Young to Be Tried.
The Secretary then cites and comments
upon various provisions of the navy regula-
tions, and concludes as follows:
THE foregoing provisions Of the regula-
tions and the facts disclosed by the report
Of the court Of inquiry and by the testimony
and exhibits thereto attached make it the
duty Of the department to require Com
mander Lucien Young. q. s. N, to clear
himself, before general court-martial, of
the charge Of neglect Of his official duty
above indicated. Such court-martial is
therefore, ordered, and the Judge advocate
general will prepare charges and specifica-
tions in accordance with the views of the
department hereinabove expressed.
In view of the many painful features Of
this lamentable affair, 1t is a source of espe-
cial satisfaction to the department to ap-
prove the findings of the court of inquiry
the Endorsement of the commander-in-chief
of the Pacific squadron and the letters of
the members Of the court of inquiry, with
the further Endorsement of the commander
in-chief respecting the highly creditable
conduct of all the survivors of the officers
and crew OF the Bennington after the ex-
plosion occurred. 1t is but justice to men
ton. as included in this commentator,
Commander Lucien Young, U. s. N. and
Ensign Charles T. Wade. U. 8. N, and also
to note that special reference in the letters
Of 10 n TJenf II
u. 8. N. Notwithstanding the severe loss
sustained by the ships complement and
the suddenness and terrible consequences
of the accident, discipline was fully main
tanned; all the officers seem to have dis
charged their duties with entire presence of
mind intelligence and courage; the crippled
vessel was handled judiciously and skill
fully and the survivors Of the crew showed
bravery and humanity in the rescue of their
unfortunate shipmates worthy of the hon.
orable traditions of our service. The de-
partment notes with pleasure these redeem
ing features of an appalling and also dis
creditable disaster"