The Washington herald., 1907-06-15

Hidshirwan FRANKLIN =. HOiC0mb.
NidshipUaH Herbert T.. Holden.
WidshiuEau Walter C. lrich
Hidshipman Henry c. Nurphin, ir.
Iidshipman William Il. Stephenson.
WidshiDman Philip II. Field.
Sc, uan Robert Il. Dodson.
Coal PHsscr Jesse Conn.
Seaman Frank r. Plumber.
Seaman Harler L. Van Dcren.
Fireman George ". - WcatphaL
Norfolk Va. June IA-Divers tonight
located the sulken launch of the battle
ship Minnesota. which went down Mon
day night following the festivities Of
Georgia Day at the Jamestown Ezposi-
ton The discovery was made shortly
before S o'clock by one OF the divers,
who Immediately notified those above.
and steps were Immediately taken TO
bring the bodies to The surface. The
shore was communicated with. and
barge. with hoisrng apparatus. was inn
mediateiy sent for. This barge is now NJ
work bringing mp the bodies. Undertak-
ers from Hampton were notified and
within a short while The work was under
way. All of the bodies are in the suuken
hull and will De recovered.
The launch was located within q short
distance of the battle ship Iadiaaa. and
NOT great distance from ola Point The
place where the launch was found is sew
eraL miles from tie course that th. IauacH
would have taken ia going from the pier
TO where the battle snip Minnesota was
stationed. and it seems that the tide was
g5ing out strongly at the time the acci-
dent occurred.
No yhgnce to Escape.
All Of the bodies being in the launch
should prove concIusively that the theory
first advanced by the officers Of the navy
that the launch had been cut down and
the men drowned without a chance 90
make the.r escape is the correct one. A
naval tug has arrived at ola Point with
UrlertaEerz. and the bodies viii De re-
moved 90 Norfolk
All IN Bow Of Boat
The men were al found in the bow of
the launch. and. 20 all appearances. they
were trying TO get out The canvas roof
and entrance TO the launch were all
tight The men were evidently drowned
like rats in a box and had mo- chance for
their lives
The launch rests in about eight fathoms
of water II is buried in mud. and il has
been found that it viii require the serv-
ice of derric6s TO raise it. two tugs being
found of insufficient power.
The opinion is expressed in naval cir
clos that the launch ran across tow
line which. stlaighteuing ont before the
launch completely cleared it. completely
upset it, The stern of the launch being
covered tho bow offered the only place
for escape.
Funeral Services ON Battle Ship.
The bodies Of the men will be sent TO
the battle ship Minnesota as soon as re-
covered and there the funeral services
VIII be conducted tomorrow morning at
10 o'clock. A tug bearing eleven caskets
has been ordered from the Naval Hos
pital 70 the M.nrespta Chaplain Hoes
viii accompany it to- conduct the funeral
service.
With the raising of the launch. naval
officers hope that some evidence wiz be
addueed tending to positively explain the
cause Of the disaster. The investigation
which has begun 20 determine the cause
of tine disaster VIII not relax with the
finding OF the launch and the bodies. and
u IS regarded more than probable that the
launch Itself viii furnish some clew by
which the cause may Doe determined.
The father Of AIiGshipmn Hofcombe
one Of The victims, is aboard the Mime
sofa tonight He has been siding I'm the
search for the bodies. No communication
is being held between the shore and fleet
tonight. and information as to the prog
ress being made in the raising Of the
launch is meag-r.