The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-17

Washington, April 1.-Two years
to a day later than the fatal Missouri
disaster. and as every sailor immedi-
ately recalled on a Friday and the
18th of the month. six men were done
to death in the forward turret of the
battleship Kearsarge by one of those
accidents which acquire additional ter
ror for sailors because Of their obscure
origin. and almost impossibility of pre-
Vention.
The Atlantic fleet, the strongest
fighting fleet America has ever owned
had been for weeks engaged in the
most severe drills in the waters of the
Caribbean sea, eliminating in the
quarterly target practice. This prac-
tice was just about concluded with
most satisfactory results up to yester-
day and it was confidently expected at
tAe department. upon the basis Of pre-
Hninary reports received. that all rec
ords would be broken in the matter of
rapidity of fire and efficiency of the
gunners. But today Just at the close
of the weeks work at the department,
came a cablegram from Rear Admiral
Evans. the commanding chief of the
Atlantic fleet telling of a dreadful ac-
cident on one of his best ships, the
Kearsarge. The news came from
Caimamera. a little cable station at
the mouth of Guantanamo bay. indi-
eating that the Kearsarge itself had
arrived at that place.
The message read as follows:
"Caimamera April IA, 1906.
Secretary Navy. Washington, D. G.
shortly after completion target practice
of Kearsarge, forward turret. while the
powder was going below, three sections
of a thirteen charge of powder were
ignited. Charge of powder in other
lift Just below and one section inside
13-inch remained intact. Cause not yet
determined nor accident accountable
ity. Matter is being investigated. Lieu
tenant Joseph w. Graeme, gun umpire,
has been sent to the Maryland in a
very critical state about o. m.
The following have since died:
LIEUTENANT HUDG1NS. turret Of
ficer.
PETER NOBERG, gunner's mate.
THEODORE NAEELY. seaman.
ANTON o. THORSON, ordinary
seaman.
JULIUS A. KOEsTER. turret cap
tain. first class
ELLIS H. ATHEY, seaman
n
k4red by accident recovery doubtful:
w. KING ordinary seaman.
Will bury dead at Guantanamo.
Vessel uniniured.'
The following message of coincidence
was telegraphed to the commander-ln-
chief of the fleet. Admiral Evans, by
Acting Secretary Newberry:
washington, April IA.
evans. Maine. Naval Station. Caima-
nera.
'"The department is grieved by the
unfortunate accident on board the
Kearsarge, which occasioned the death
and injury in the performance of duty,
brave officers and men in the navy and
it extends its heartfelt sympathy to
the injured and wishes for a speedy
recovery from their wounds. Spare
no effort to ease the sufferings of the
injured in every possible manner and
show every honor to the dead.
(signed,l 'NEwBERRY."
lieutenant John M. Hudgins. the
onlv officer who lost his life by the
explosion on the Kearsarge was a ma
tive of Virginia. and was appointed TO
the naval academy from the state
September s. 1890. He was assigned
to the engineer corps upon leaving the
academy in 1894 because OF his partlc-
ular aptitude for engineering and ms
mechanical skill. He took an especial
interest in the subject of wireless tele-
graphy and became expert in that line
He was personally Unidentified with the
development of the wireless system as
now in use by the navy. having been
attached to the bureau of equipment
during the experiments and inaugura-
ton of the system. After short ser
vice in 1895 he was sent to London
for q special course of instruction and
Shile in that city was attached to the
American embassy. Since then he has
served respectively on the New Or.
leans, Glacier. Manila and Petrel and
in October 1903 began his service or
the Kearsarge He reached the grade
of lieutenant in September 1901. Lieu
tenant Hudgins' wife resides with her
parents in this city.
Lieutenant Graeme was appointed &c