The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-07-29
BOILER WAS DEFECTIVE.

1t is an assured fact that boiler B.,
the one which exploded first, has been
in bad condition for long time. In
fact, so serious was it considered by
the hremen that many of them were
afraid to sail on the ship. 1t was 9
clock on Thursday night that Com
mander Young received his orders to
meet the crippled Wyoming at Port
Hartford and CONVOY her to this port.
Early Friday morning steam was got
ten up in boilers B and d. 1t was
the intention to steam outside the
Heads and FIJI boilers A and c with
water. At the time of the explosion fresh
water was running into boilers and
D. These boilers underwent repairs
not long ago at Mare Island and were
tested there for 200 pounds pressure.
AT the time of the explosion the gauges
marked 40 pounds.
On July 9th the Bennington left Ho-
nolulu. She made very quick trip
to this port, arriving fully twenty
four hours before she was expected.
One reason for speed may have been
the serious illness of Lieut.. Victor
Blue of Spanish American war fame.
Mr.. Blue was threatened with appen-
dicitis and they were hurrying him
to San Diego for an operation.
Over half the trip the boilers were
under an unusual strain. Then the
Bennington ran out of a gale, and
after that the boilers were nursed
carefully. Firemen say that boiler b
leaked continually, and this leak was
not reported to the proper authorities.
Commander Young says he can give
no reason for the explosion, and also
claims that he did not know that one
of the boilers was in a leaky condi
ton.
Of course, the affair will be investi-
gated In a thorough manner, and the
responsibility placed where it belongs.
The pity is that most of the men who
are in position to know will never
be able to give evidence.
At IL o'clock the crowds are thin
ming out in the down town district,
and San Diego, worn out with day
of excitement and horror, has gone to
bed.
The telegraph offices have been be-
sieged all evening by crowds of jack
les, all anxious to send word home.
Tomorrow can bring no fresh horror
Inc NOTSt Is over anu uOLHln0
but to put the pitnul reminders of the
national calamity out of sight as soon
as possible. Most of them will be
buried in the military reservation here.
The wreck of the Bennington lies in
the shallow water of San Diego BAY.
She is grimed and blackened and
bloodstained from bow to stern,> but
naval discipline still lives on board
that battered wreck oh what was once
United States gunboat, and the flag
is still flying at the stern.
Before persons on shore and aboard
the moving bay craft awoke to the
catastrophe enacted before their ewes
this morning. men We're leaping over
the sides of the Bennington. Then all
were moved to action. First a fisher
man s rowboat, then the launch Nc
kinlev. upon which Commander Young
had just embarked to board his vessel.
rushed to the rescue. followed by the
tug Santa Fe and the Government tug
| De Russev. The struggling sailors.
| some of whom We're scalded and other
wise injured by the superheated steam
| and terrible conclusion of the explo-
sion. were quickly taken out of the
| water and hurried ashore. Even the
! ferryboat Ramona. with her crowd of
| morning passengers from Coronado,
turned out of her course immediately
aud came TO render assistance.
Commander Young boarded the Ben
nlngton but few minutes after the
| explosion. While there was much con
fusion among those who escaped I'M
harmed, the officers had already set
| about TO care for the injured and look
for the dead. The Bennington began
to settle rapidly, listing heavily to
starhoard. Fearing she would sink
Commander Young ordered the vessel