The Topeka state journal., 1905-07-24
BENNINGTON CAN BE FLoATED.
VIII Not Be Lost to Navy Because of
Boiler EXPLOSION

w HI INOL 40G 1OSG "a Navy because Oh
Boiler Explosion.
Washington, July 24.-Officials of
the bureau of navigation were at the
navy department throughout Sunday
to receive kilograms from San Diego
regarding the Bennington disaster.
Acting Secretary Darling. of the navy
came in from his country home and
was at the department. He has sent
to the president copies of all kilograms
received from the naval officers at San
Diego and full account of all that the
department has done.
BY the direction of the acting sec
retary, Surgeons v. G. B. Means F. T.
Cullough and G. P. Kindleberger, of
the navy, were ordered by the surgeon
general from San Francisco to San
Diego.
Rear Admiral Goodrich commander
in-chief of the Pacific station, who is
expected to reach San Diego Thursday
IS clothed by the regulations with full
authority to order such investigation as
he may deem necessary, either by a
board of officers or by q court OF in
quiry, which will determine what fur
ther action may be necessary. With his
flagship, the Chicago, and the Iris at
San Diego, he will have a sufficient
number of officers from which to ap-
point an investigating board. 1t is ex-
pected that he will enter into commun-
ication with Washington, fully advising
the officials here of the steps he may
take.
In kilograms coming to the depart
ment from Captain Drake, that officer
announced that he expected eventually
to float the Bennington He stated also
that he ordered a board of investiga-
ton to determine the extent of damage
done to the hull and machinery. The
captain stated, 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 Lari-
mer, on the receiving ship Independ-
ence, at Mare Island. to proceed forth
with to San Diego Captain Drake says
the surviving officers and crew have
been doing noble work, and it is shown
by his kilograms that the officers have
remained aboard, but because the crew. s
quarters are uninhabitable it has been
necessary to quarter them in the army
barracks.
Acting Secretary Darling has given
Captain Drake full authority to employ
all civilian doctors necessary and to
purchase all medical supplies needed
and to take all measures required to re-
lieVe the suffering of the wounded and
to care for the dead.
Following is one of the kilograms re-
ceived by the department from Captain
Drake:
Find Bennington lying easy on mud
bank. Gun deck aft awash at high wa
ter. Centrifugal pump lowered water
so as to recover bodies in fire room.
EXPECT 10 pug DOltOIu DlOW ana 6N6Ht-
ually float ship, stopping minor leaks.
Will ship to Mare Island per Iris all
unnecessary equipment, ammunition,
guns, mounts, except main battery.
Board of investigation ordered to de-
termine extent of damage to hull and
engines. Find all officers and crew do
ing noble work. Will require at least
two more watch officers to relieve pres
ent exhaustion from constant vigil and
work. Officers live on board. Crews
Quarters not habitable, quartered and
fed by contract in army barracks ad-
jacent to ship. Working parties on
board constantly"
Another telegram from Captain
Past Assistant Surgeons Peck and
Smith have made inspection of wound
ed in hospitals under my orders. Pres
ent condition of many patients serious.
Strict medical attention urgent. Re
quest authority to employ such civilian
doctors as necessary under supervision
of Smith, whom have placed in charge
of the wounded; to purchase such med
ical and surgical necessities as required.
Have visited the wounded in army bar
racks, Agnews and st. Joseph sanitari-
urns Wounded who can be moved will
be concentrated in army barracks. Seri-
Gus cases left in present hospitals until
able to be moved. Am at present pro-
ceeding under above conditions as the
necessity demands it."
The following kilograms was sent to
Captain Drake:
You are given full authority to en-
ploy civilian doctors, purchase such
medical supplies as may be necessary,
and take any measure in your discre-
tion for alleviating the suffering of the
wounded and caring for the dead.
CHARLES A DARLING,
Acting Secretary"
Captain Drake reported from San
Diego the recovery of the bodies of
Frank DeCurtoni, oiler and Dwight
the wreck, and in another telegram he
announced that the bodies Of G. S. Car
fer fireman. second class, and an uni
IDENTIFIED sailor had been recovered from
the ships hold.
The revised list as given out makes
total of 49 identified dead officially re-
ported to the department, and one uni
IDENTIFIED body The moment the depart
ment is officially advised OF the hnding
Of an additional body, a telegram is
sent to the nearest relative of the de-
ceased announcing the death and ex-
pressing the sympathy of the depart
neQt.