New-York tribune., 1905-07-23
THE BENNINGTON's BOILERS.

The tragic event which occurred in San Diego
Harbor on Friday will make a peculiar appeal
to human sympathy. When the soldier and
sailor enlist IN the service Of their country they
have q full knowledge of the perils to which
they will be exposed in time of war. More
over, If they die IN battle there are many con-
solatOns for those that love them. To lose
ones life in time Of peace is fate unusual, un-
expected, less glorious and affording less solace
to those who are obliged to mourn.
The explosion on the Bennington was as little
to be anticipated as the sinking of the Maine in
1898 or that of the British battleship Victoria
off the Syrian coast nearly five years before.
In the extent Of the bereavement which was
caused the latest of the three disasters Is not
comparable with the others. Nearly four hun
dred men were drowned by the collision between
Admiral Tryons flagship and the Camperdown
while manCeuvring, and Captain Sigsbee lost
more than two hundred and fifty in Havana
Harbor If one adds to the number Of those
who are known to have died at San Diego that
of the missing and makes a further allowance
for the probable death of a few Of the most
badly injured, the total mortality can hardly
exceed seventy or seventy-1ve.
There can be little doubt that the explosion
which has been attended with such sad conse-
Quences was due primarily to miscalculatiOn
In regard to the exact condition of one of the
Bennington's boilers. Within the last ten months
they had been inspected at least three times,
and, the advsability Of repairs having been
pointed out, work was done which 1t was hoped
might keep them in a serviceable state a little
longer. Whether or not anybody is to blame for
the degree of confidence which was felt regard
ing their fitness can be determined only after
an official investigation has been held. For the
present it would be cruel to attempt to pass
Judgment on the question.
Much has been heard in the last few years
about the scarcity Of educated engineers in the
American navy and the inadvisability of in
trusting the care of engines and boilers to
machinists. Possibly a disposition will be
manifested to attribute the accident on the Ben
nington to these causes. The possibility is
worth considering, of course; but at present
there seems to be no evidence to support the
theory. Here again. it would be wise to form
no opinion until the facts are fully known.
More obvious is the pertinence of a comment
made by Rear Admiral Melville day or two
ago. Boilers of the locomotive type once in al
most universal use in the American and foreign
navies, are now gradually giving way to water
tube boilers, which possess several advantages
that commend them to- experts. They weigh
less than the old marine boiler and permit get
ting up steam more quickly than was once fea-
sible. 1t is also noteworthy that the damage
done by an explosion is likely to be smaller if
the modern means of generating steam Is en-
ployed than under the system that was In vogue
on the Bennington. 1t is gratifying to know
that the improvements in engineering practice
lately made in the United States navy, though
introduced mainly for other purposes, promise to
minimize the consequences Of any future acci-
dent akin to that at San Diego.