Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-25
WILL
Be INVESTIGATED
STATEMENT ISSUED BY SEC
RETARY B0NAPARTE
BERESFoRD WIRES SYMPATHY
Admiral Of British Navy Sends Mess
age Of Coincidence to Dewey.
e Expression From the Town
Of Bennington
BY Associated Press.

Of Bennington
| BY Associated Press.
! WASHINGTON, July 24.-Secretary
Bonaparte in a statement issued today
said the public may rest assured that
the Remington disaster will be thor i.
oughly investigated and that whatever
action the results of the investigation
may show to be proper will be taken by
the department promptly and eff
fectualy. 4
Secretary Bonaparte showed the deco
interest he has taken in the Benning-
ton disaster by Immediately taking up
the subject on his return today. Ia
held al extended conference with AS
slstant Secretary Darling and found
that Mr.. Darling had done everything
possible to alleviate the sufferings of
the wounded and for the proper care
of the dead, as well as to lay the foun-
dation for an investigation of the ex
plosion When advised that Rear Ad-
miral Goodrich had been ordered to San
Diego the secretary asked as to the
number of officers that would be avail
able upon the admiral's arrival from
which proper investigating body could
be convened. The secretary was as
sured that with the officers on the
ground and those who will come with
the flagship Chicago and the suppy ship
81 fn,, n
board or for a court of inquiry. The
secretary expects most thorough IN
vestigation.
When Admiral Goodrich reaches San
Diego all facts developed pending his
arrival will be reported to him and 1t
is expected that the board of investi-
cation which Captain Drake ordered to
determine the extent of the damage
to the hull and engines also will re-
port the results of it's investigation to
the admiral Admiral Goodrich then
can determine the steps to be taken,
but it was made manifest today that
Mr.. Bonaparte expects the inquiry to
be exhaustive and such as will develop
every possible fact. 1t was suggested
at the department today that some of
the steam engineering records Of the
Bennington may have been destroyed
when the ship was blown up. The
quarterly report, covering the period
from March 80 to June 80, had not been
received at the bureau of steam en-
gineering up to the hour Of closing to-
day. 1t is probable, it is stated, that
the mailing of the report may have
been delayed and that it was aboard
ship at the time of the explosion.
The department today telegraphed to
Captain Drake for a list of survivors.
This was done because of the numerous
inquiries that have come from relatives
of the sailors who have not been re-
ported among the dead or injured. The
department has directed that report
be sent to the department daily from
San Diego.
Admiral Dewey today received from
Vice Admiral Lord Charles Beresford.
commanding the British Mediterranean
fleet now stationed at Gibraltar, the
following message of condolences:
."Admirals, captains, officers and ships
companies of British Mediterranean
fleet send warm sympathy with United
States navy and nation in terrible ca
lamity to Bennington,
CHARLES BERESFORD."
Admiral Deweys reply follows:
Vice Admiral Beresford, Gibraltar:
Deeply grateful to you and admirals,
captains, officers and men of your fleet
for sympathy over loss Of life In Ben
nington disaster.
GEORGE DEWEY"
The following expression came to As
sistant Secretary Darling from Ben
nington, VT, the town after which the
Inflated ship was named:
I'm behalf OF the citizens OF Benning-
ton, 1 tender you heartfelt sympathy
and sorrow for the suffering and death
caused by the grievous disaster to the
good ship Bennington, named after
this old historic town, manned by
heroic souls whose fortitude and BRAY
cry has just been shown.
I'VE have always regarded this gal
liant ship with more than ordinary in
terest and this terrible misfortune calls
forth deep expressions Of sorrow. con-
dolence and sympathy.
A. j. COOPER,
President of Bennington village"
Mr.. Darling's reply follows:
I'm behalf of the sufferers and the
friends Of those who died in the terrible
accident to the United States gunboat
Bennington 1 wish through you TO
thank the people of the town after
which the vessel was named for their
expression OF sympathy.
Coming from you as the representa-
tive of my fellow townsmen the message
was especially touching to me-"
The navy department has been unable
to communicate with the relatives Of
Walter Grant. one of the sailors of the
Bennington who persisted The depart