New-York tribune., 1905-07-24
E4PECTS TO FLOAT BOAT.
Captain Drake and NaUy Depart
nleHt Exchange TeLegrams.

meHT EGch0nge kilograms.
Washington July 23-oracers Of the suraau
OF Navigation were at the Navy Department to-
day 20 receive telegrams from San D..ro "a
garoing the Bennington disaster. ana were pr.-
pared TO meet any requests that might come
from that city. where many sailors are in hos
PitaIs as a result Of the explosion. Charles H
Darhhs' Acting Secretary OF the Navy, cams IN
from MS country home, and was at the depart
ment to-day. He has sent to the President
copies OF all kilograms received from the naval
officers at SaG Diego and q full account OF all
that the department has done. BY the direc-
ton OF the Acting Secretary. Surgeons V. c. B.
Means F. E. Mccullough and c. P. Kindleberser.
OF the navy. were ordered by the surgeon gen
eral from San Francisco TO San Diego.
Rear Admiral Goodrich. commander in chief
OF the Pacific station, who is expected 10 reach
san Diego Thursday. is clothed by the regula-
tons with full authority TO order such investi-
CATION as he may deem necessary. either by
board Of officers or by court OF inquiry, which
VIII determine what further action may be
necessary. With his flagship, the Chicago. and
the Iris az San Diego he viii have a SUFFICIENT
number OF officers from which TO appoint an in
vestigating board. It is expected that he will
be in constant communication with the depart
ment from the moment he takes hold az San
steps he may take.
In kilograms coming TO the department over
night from Captain Drake. that officer an
nounced that he expected eventually TO float the
Bennington. He stated also that he had ordered
a board Of investigation TO determine the extent
Of the damage done TO the hull and machinery.
The captain asserted, TOO. that he would need
two more watch officers TO relieve those who have
been on constant duty since the disaster. The
department at once ordered Lieutenants Mitchell
and Lariner on the receiving ship Independence.
at Mare Island. TO proceed forthwith TO San
Diego. Captain Drake says the surviving off,
GERS and crew have been doing noble work. and
It is shown by his kilograms that the officers
have remained aboard. but because the crews
quarters are uninhabitable it has been neces-
sary 10 quarter them in the army barracks.
Acting Secretary Darling has given Captain
Drake full authority 10 employ all civilian ply
sicians necessary, 10 purchase all medical sup
plies needed 10 take all measures required 10
relieve the suffering Of the wounded and 10 care
for the dead.
Following is one Of the kilograms received by
the department from Captain Drake:
Find Bennington lying easy on mud bank ng1D gaD
Geek ar a~asn Al hlsh - 49, bSas IN sreroori r,
Expect 70 plug bottom blow and eventually noat
Island per IRIS ali unnecessary equipment. amulu-
nition guns, mounts. except main battery. Board
damage to hull and engines. Find all officers and
crew doing noble work. VIII require al least Two
trcm constant vigil and work. Officers live on
board. Crews quarters not habitaolei quartered
ship; working parties on board constantly.
Another telegram from Captain Drake follows:
made inspection OF wounded in hospitals under my
orders Present condition OF many patients seri-
Gus. Strict medical attention urgent Request au-
thorfty 10 employ such civilian doctors necessity
demands. under supervision OF Smith whom have
such medical and surgical dressings required
Have visited the wounded IN army 5arracks a AZ
Sks seTto1s cases fet1 IN present hospitals unt
above conditions as the necessity demands IT,
The following telegram was sent 10 Captain
Drake:
You are given full authority employ civilian
doctors. purchase such medical supplies as may be
geE se te be ser.s Of the wounded a3a
CHARLES H DARLING. Acting Secretary.
Captain F. J. Drake to-day reported to the de-
partment from San Diego the recovery Of the
bodies OF Frank de Curtoni. oiler. and Dwight
" Holland, fireman. second class. from the
wreck and In another telegram he announced
that the bodies CT c. S. Carter fireman. second
class and an unidentified sailor had been
covered from the ships hold.
The revised list, as given to-day, makes a to-
tai OF forty-nine dead identified. officially re-
ported 10 the department. and unidentified
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, announcing the death and expressing
the sympathy Of the department.