The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-24

 IS IN TOUCH Communications with Capt. Drake Of GunbOat. DISASTER TO BENNINGTON Ill-Fated War Vessel May Be
 Fl0ated. Authority Given to Take All Necessary steps fer AlleviatinG Suffering
 sf wounAed and Car ing fer Dead.
DISASTER TO BENNINGTON

washington, July 13.--Omcials of the Bureau of Navigation were at the Navy Department throughout today to re- ceive telegrams from San Diego re- Earding the Bennington disaster anu were prepared to meet any requests that might come from that city where so many sailors are in hospitals as result of the explosion. Acting Secre' tary Darling of the Navy came in from his country home and was at the de- partment today. He has sent 10 the President copies of all telegrams re ceived from the naval onicers at san Diego and full accounts of all that the department has done.
 Rear Admiral Goodrich. commander in Chief of the Pacific station, who is expected to reach San Diego Thursday is clothed by the regulations with full authority to order such investigations as he may deem necessary, either by board of ofhcers or by court of fn- ouiry, which will determine what fur ther action may be necessary. With his flagship. the Chicago. and the Iris at San Diego he will have sumcient number of officers from which to ap- point an investigating board.
 In telegrams coming to the depart ment over night from Captain Drake, that officer announced that he expected eventually to float the Bennington. He stated also that he had ordered a board of investigation to determine the ex- tent of the damage done to the hull and machinery. Captain Drake says the surviving of ficers and crew have been doing noble work and 1t is shown py the tele- grams that the oficers have remained aboard, but because the crews quarters are uninhabitable 1t has been necessary to quarter them in the army barracks
 Acting Secretary Darling has given Captain Dake full authority to employ all civilian doctors necessary and to purchase all medical supplies needed relieve the suffering of the wounded ana to care for the dead.
 Following is one of the -telegrafns re. eeived at the department from Captain Drake:
 Find Bennington lying easy on mud bank Gun deck aft wash at high water. Centrifugal pump lowered wa ter SO as to recover bodies in fire room Expect to plug bottom below and eventually float ship, stopping minor leaks. Will ship to Mare Island per Iris all unnecessary equipment, ammu- milton. gun, boats. except main bat tery.
 To Determine Damage.
 Board of investigation ordered to determine extent of damage to hull and engine Find all officers and crew do- ing noble work.
 "Wili require at least two more watch officers to relieve present ex- haustion from constant vigilant work Oficers live on board. Crews quarters not habitable; quartered and fed, by contract, in army barracks adjacent to ship. woking parties on board con stantly."
 Another telegram from Captain Drake follows:
 Past Assistant Surgeons Peck and Smith have made Inspection of wound ed in hospitals under my orders. Pres ent condition of many patients seri- ous. Strict medical attention urgent Request authority to employ such civilian doctors as necessity demands to purchase such medical and surgical dressings as required. Wounded 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 un- der above conditions, as the necessity demand It."
 The following telegram was sent to Captain Drake:
 You are given full authority to em4 ploy civilian doctors, purchase such medical supplies as may be necessary and take any measures in your dis cretion for aIleviating the suffering of the wounded and caring for the dead.
 (Signed) Charles A. Darling,
 Acting Secretary"
 Captain Drake today reported from San Diego the recovery of the bodies of Frank DeCurtoni, oiler, and Dwight N Holland, fireman, second clas, from the wreck, and in another telegram he announced that the bodies of c. s. Carter. fireman, second class. and un- identified sailer had been recovered from the ships hold. The revised list as given out today makes a total of forty-nine identified dead given official- ly to the department and one unidenti- fled body. The moment the department Is officially advised of the finding of an additional body, telegram Is sent to the nearest relative of the deceased an nouncing the death and expressing the sympathy of the department.