The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1907-07-16

Eich and HanSell, and they also threw
themselves on the floor of the turret.
Before the other men in the turret
could understand what caused the load
ers cry of warning there was a blind
ing flash as the burning powder explod-
ed. Flames, smoke and nauseous gases
filled the little superstructure, in which
more than score of men were con-
ned. Inasmuch as the powder was
not confined, there was no deafening
report, nor did the vessel suffer any in
jury, but every nook and GRANNY of the
turret was filled with flame.
Terribly Burned.
The loader, who was, of course, near
est to the powder, was terribly burned,
as was every other man in the turret
with the exception of Eich and Hansell,
who although scorched escaped with in
juries much less severe than the 9TH
ers.
Blinded by the smoke and flame,
choked by the acrid, penetrating gas
eous fumes, and maddened with pain,
the men screamed in agony. Some
staggered. blindly up the ladder to the
hatchway in the top of the turret,
while others crept along the turret
floor begging piteously for assistance.
Threw Themselves Into Sea.
Lieutenant Goodrich and Seaman
Maleck became crazed, staggered up the
iron ladder to the top of the turret and
then threw themselves headlong into
the sea, in a despairing effort to choose
death. by drowning in preference to
death by slow fire,
Before the smoke of the burning
powder had cleared away the ship
mates of the unfortunate men rushed
to their assistance and tenderly the suf-
fering sailors were lifted out of the fire.
4 blackened turret and quickly conveyed
to the ships hospital, where their burns
were dressed by the surgeons.
In the meantime Lieutenant Goodrich
and Seaman Maleck had been rescued
by the launch that was returning from
an inspection Of the target.
Surgeons from ether ships.
i The surgical staff of the Georgia was
soon reinforced by the surgeons Of the
other vessels in the fleet, who had been
informed Of the accident and summon
ed to the scene by the combined use of
wireless telegraphy, signal flags and the
wig-wag system.
A wireless message telling the brief
details OF the accident was sent to the
government wireless station on the
Highlands of Cape Cod and thence
overland to the navy department at
Washington. Another message was
sent to the Charlestown navy yard tell
ing of the disaster and requesting that
twenty stretchers be provided to re-
move the injured men to the naval
hospital at Chelsea when the Georgia
arrived at Boston. whittier her prov
was then turned.
No Damage to Ship.
An examination Of the after-superim-
posed turret after the accident failed
to show that any serious damage had
resulted to the ship.
Immediately upon learning the de-
tails Of the accident Captain Henry
McRea, commander Of the Georgia, no
titled Rear-Admiral Charles M. Thorn
as, commander of the squadron, OF
what had occurred. Rear-Admiral
Thomas ordered an investigating board
to examine into the causes of the acct
dent. Until this board makes its re-
port the real cause Of the explosion
will be in doubt, and 1t is uncertain
even that the board will be able to de-
termine definitely what ignited the
vases Of powder
Theories ms to Cause.
Two theories are entertained. One
belief is that a spark from previous
discharge of the after-turret guns
floated back into the turret through a
gun port and settled onto the powder
vases. Another theory is that the spark
that caused the trouble came from the
smokestacks of the ship and tloated
through the gun ports. That floating
spark caused the trouble seemed evil
dent to naval men, but whether it came
from a gun or a funnel furnished a
topic for discussion.
As soon as he received the news of
the disaster Rear Admiral Albert s.
Snow, commandant of the Charlestown
navy yard made complete arrange
ments for the reception of the injured
The naval hospital at Chelsea was pre-
pared for the care Of the sufferers and
ambulances were furnished by the nav.
al hospital, the soldiers home and the
cities of Boston and Chelsea.
Not until half hour before the
l -, L.
navy yard was it known that there hat
been any fatalities On the way acros.
Massachusetts bay Midshipman Gold.
thwaite succumbed to his tortures. and
a little later death ended the suffering!
of Turret Captain Thatcher and seamer
Burke, Thomas and Miller. Seaman
Hamilton died while the ship was ap
preaching the navy yard pier.
Ship Ordered Back Again.
| AS soon as the last of the dead mer
had been removed from the ship prep
arations were made for sailing. Or
ders had been received from washing
ton ordering the ship back to the tar
get grounds, and tomorrow the Geor
gia will resume her practice with he
. great guns.
While the ship was at the pier
few of the officers, including Captain
4 McCrea, came down the gangplank TO
a brief conversation with officers at
3 tached to the navy yard, and the war
ships at present in port. None Of then
= would discuss the accident.
Official Statement.
After the Georgia had sailed away a
l l6:05 o'clock, one of the nav yard off
!, GERS gave out brief official state
ment from Captain McCrea, which rea
" as follows:
e About 10 a. m. July is. while engag
9 ed in record target practice with tn