New-York tribune., 1905-07-24
NO ONE FOUND TO BLAME
BENNINGTON MYSTERY.
Changes an Ser0ice Which Man Re-
suit from the Explosion.
TFRoM THE TRIBUNE prRrA,. !


technical conjecture embodied in the findings
OF the investigating body It is evident from the
oflcial advices OF Commander Tucier yo,,n-
ano the published interviews with the survivors
or the accident that no is TO blame. and
that al or the officers and men attached TO the
ship including those OF the engineer depart
ment. must be exonerated from responsibility for
the explosion OF Friday
There is still much 10 be explained in the AZ
fair X is assuming the aspect OF 4 mystery 10
greater extent than before, because there does
not appear 10 have been any such agency as the
disturbance OF the magazines and because ac-
coraing 10 the naval engineers. such a double
explosion as is described Is a new thing 10 them
As one engineer remarked to-day in the light
o. the Information al hand. an accident may
happen in almost any way and does not have TO
be IN line OF recognized precedence The en-
gtneers are awaiting further information with
the keenest interest. although they do not ex-
pect 10 be enlightened TO any extent by what
may be hereafter divulged from any source
There is some hope that when the naval con-
srructor from the Mare Island Navy Yard, who
has been sent TO san Diego by instructions from
Washington. reaches the wreck he viii be able
20 impart some facts on which the experts VIII
be able 10 work 10 some purpose. He possesses
the required knowledge OF the construction OF
the ship, and may be able 10 tell from the char
ecter or damages what caused them
II is not considered that the navy regula-
aons relating 10 the care and preservation OF
he boilers VIII require revision. unless il shall
appear that the explosion on the Bennington
was the result OF some defect in the system OF
observation and surveillance now IN vogue The
acts that such explosion has not occurred be-
'ore and that other ships are using much older
boilers than those OF the Bennington without
u1ishap show that the present system fulfls
az the requirements OF safety It is certain
however, that the accident viii direct attention
70 the need OF more trained engineer officers
THE NEED OF SPECIAL TRAINING.
Hereafter there are likely to be more officers
detailed 10 duty with the engineer department,
n line with the arrangement proposed by Rear
Admiral Rae. engineer IN chief Of the navy
when he first assumed his duties as chief OF the
Bureau OF Steam Engineering. That step. with
he project Of detailing other junior line officers
FOR ordnance duty was regarded as a practical
-erurn 70 the condition which admitted the value
- specialists in naval engineering and naval
ordnance In both branches there is an increas-
ng amount Of technical work. requiring con-
st2nt study OF the scientific sort. and It is ab-
Bolutely necessary. say the conservative officers
nat there shall be officers specially trained for
-he design and manufacture of the guns and
'or the design, building and operation OF the
Engines.
No one holds that the Bennington could have
been spared II there had been a trained naval
tng1neer IN charge Of the FIRE rooms OF that
ihip on her recent cruise because the young
Inc of5eer who was assigned 10 that responsible
iury was IN al respects a careful and inteui-
gent officer, who had been educated under the
present method at the Naval Academy Of giving
al midshipmen instruction in engineering
stil II is coming be felt more and more that
u-nr1T D. afz r7rn 70
aave an engineer corps. or at least officers who
make a specially Of engineering. whether there
corps organization or not.
Mr- Bonaparte is expected at the Navy De-
partmenr tomorrow morning and he viii con-
,inue the work OF providing for the injured so
'ar as il may be done al this distance from
The scene Of the disaster. He viii also interest
himself in the investigation. the departmental
relation 10 which IS waited with considerable
Interest, as this is the first incident OF unusual
character which the new head OF the Navy De-
parrment VIII have 10 cope with. Mr.. Darling
he Assistant Secretary. who has been acting in
Nr. Bonapartes absence has been at his Office
barly and late. and has attended 10 the details in
prompt and effective manner He denies again
to-day the story OF weakness Of the boilers OF
-he ship. There were the usual tests and in
Epections attached 10 the machinery Of ships Of
var. and there was nothing 10 indicate that
there was danger in that direction. The naval
officials regard any insinUations 10 that effect
as mischievous, If not wicked and say al least
there should be delay in the expression OF judg-
uent until all the facts are known No one in
ne Navy Department entertains for moment
The thought that there were any time signs OF
decay IN the boilers. thar there was negligence
which resulted in the disaster
ALL BOILERS TO BE EXAMINED.
There viii be Immediately a general and
thorough examination Of the boilers OF all the
ships Of war 10 ascertain whether there are any
evidences Of impending trouble. This investiga-
1on is understood 10 be favored by Mr. Bona
parte Z means OF learning whether or not
there is element OF neglect on board any OF
the ships in commission. II was recently found
-aat the nineteen torpedo boats held IN reserve
az The Norfolk fKa.D Navy Yard were IN very
3aC condition. largely due 10 the facts that
Junior officer OF the service was in charge OF all
Tie vessels and that only limited, combined
crew was connected with them. He had look
after the hulls engines and tubes. act pay
master and exercise a general supervision Of the
entire cot OF boats.
The Board OF Inspection and Survey visited
Le place. went over the craft. and reported evi-
Gelces % grave neglect but II all due 10
ZOO much do. The fact that the boats
nor being used actively saved them from acci-
dent probably. Before any Of them take their
concentrated rrlD To the ASatic station they
VIII have TO be OveThauled and put IN a condi-
Ton OF seaWOrthiness. II IS not believed that
other ships VIII show The same. condition, be-
cause there is such idlensss among them.
Nevertheless. II has been suggested that there
be an inquiry into all ships. 10 be conducted
probably 10y the commanding officers.
Another suggestion Is that which provides an
independent Inspecting officer for The navy, or
several such. the duty Of whom shall be 10 visit
f-1Ds iu and 81 commission and examine