The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-22
CLOSED WRONG VALVE.
Fireman Holland Held Responsible for
the Bennington Disaster.

Washington, Aug. 22=The findings
and opinion of the court of inquiry
which investigated the explosion upon
the gunboat Bennington have been
made public by Secretary Bonaparte
at the navy department. The court
expresses the opinion the the explo-
sion was caused by excessive steam
pressure in boiler b. resulting from
the closing of the valve connecting the
boiler with the steam gauge. The
court is also of the opinion that D. N.
Holland, a fireman on duty, had made
the mistake of shutting off the valve.
The court further finds that Ensign
Charles D. Wade of the engineer de-
partment of the ship was at fault in
failing to see that the steam valves
and safety valve were overhauled at
the proper time and kept in good or
| der, having accepted the verbal state
| been done in March. 1t is alleged
| that he was negligent and that he will
be brought before a court martial.
The navy department has not yet act
| ed upon the proceedings and findings.
| The court consisted of Commodore
| Stevenson, retired, and Capt. E. ].
Moore and Capt. Thomas S. Phelps.
The opinion of the court follows:
THE court is of the opinion that the
explosion was caused by excessive
pressure in boiler B, which came
about, first by shutting the valve con-
Meeting the boiler with the steam
/
cock alone, as was intended, so that
the steam gauge failed to show. Sec
ond, by the failure of the sentinel and
safety valves to lift az the pressure
for which they were set and the pres
sure increased until it was beyond
the strength of the boiler which gave
way in its weakest part, afterwards
found to be the corrugated f1ue of No.
2, the lowest or middle furnace, which
collapsed.
1.-THE court is also of the opinion that
D. n. Holland, fireman, second class,
U. S. N, who was the fireman on duty
firing boiler at and before the time
of the explosion, did by mistake shut
off the steam valve connecting boiler B
with it's steam gauge, instead of the air
cock as directed, thus preventing the
gauge from recording the steam pres
sure on its boiler; that Frank de
Courtani oiler, acting water tender, U.
S. N, on watch in charge of this boiler
from about 9:15 a. m. until the time OF
the explosion, did fail to observe that
this steam gauge was not recording and
did continue pushing the fires on this
boiler and. further, when leaks develop
ed from excessive pressure, did fail to
relieve the pressure. which should nave
been done at once; that E. B. Ferguson.
chief machinist's mate u. s. N, on
watch in charge of the engine and fire
rooms did fail to inspect boiler B under
his charge while steam was being rals-
ed. and did fail to cause the steam
|
The said D. N. Holland, fireman, second
class. U. S. N, Frank de Courtani. oller.
U. S. N. and f. B. Ferguson. chief ma
chinist's mate, U. S. N. are all now
dead and therefore no further proceed
| ings can be taken against them.
1.-THE court is of the further opinion
that further proceedings should be had
in the case of Ensign Charles T. Wade.
u S NJ who was in charge of the en-
4 gineering department of the Bennington
at the time of the explosion and since
october %. 1904, in this. that he. the
said ensign. Charles T. Wade, u S. N,
did fail in his own person to see that
| the safety valve on boiler b was over
hauled at the proper time and kept in
| good working order, but did accept the
verbal statement of his subordinate or
Isubordinates that it had been overhaul
ed in March 1905 and further. that he,
the said ensign, Charles t. Wade. y. S.
N, did fail to keep the sentinel valves
| on the boilers in good working order;
and further. that he, the said ensign
! Charles t Wade, u S. N. did fail to
! cause the safety and sentinel valves on
ell boilers to be tested in accordance
with article 1909 paragraph II. U S
navy regulations, 1905. in all of which
he. the said ensign. Charles T Wade
i u S N. in charge of the engineering
/ department of the U. S. S. Bennington
was negligent in the performance of his
duty and the court recommends that ne
the said ensign. Charles T. Wade, u s
N. be brought to trial before a general
court martial.