The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-07-16

the loader saw black spot on the
Lag, Indicating thai the charge hal
been ignited and was sm0nldering.
The loader discovered the spot at the
same ins ant aad threw himself for,
ward On his faca at the same time
shouting warning to his turret
mates Other men who had seen the
spot were Eich and Hansall anu they
also threw themselves on the floor &C
the tufret, Before the her men in
the turret could understand whar
caused the leaders cry of warning
tAcre was binding flash as the bura
ing powder exploded. The flames
somEe and nausCous gases filed the
little suparstructure in which motc
than a score of men were confined
A. tho powder was not confined there
was no report nor did the vessel snf
Ter any injury, but every nook and
Granny of the turre;t was filled with
fame
All Terribly Burned.
The leader, who was of course,
nearest The powder, was terribly
burnel as was every other man in
the turrct.
Eich and IIansell who although
scorched, escaped with injuries much
less severe than he others
blinded by the smoke and flames.
choked by acrid, penetrating gas
fumes, and inaddened with pain, the
men screamed in agony some stag
gered blindly up the ladder to the
hatchway in the top of the turret,
floor, begging pteously for assistance
Goodrich and Mallick became crazed
S aggered up the iron ladder TO the
top Ct the turret and threw them
selves headlong into the sea in de-
spairing efforts to choose death by
in preference to death by
slow fire.
Shpmates to Rescue.
When the smoke of the burning
powder had cleared shipmates rushed
to be of assis ancc and tenderly the
suffering sailors were lifted out CT the
fire blackened turret and were quickly
to the ships hospital, where
their burns We're dressed by surgeons
Meantime Goodrich and Mallick had
been rescued by a launch that was ~
turning from the inspection of tar
get
The surgical staff Of the Georgia |
was reinforced by surgeons from other
vessels in the fleet who had been In |
'ormed of the accident and Summoned |
.othe scene.
A wireless message telling of the &C
,ident was sent to the government !
wireless station on the Highland Of
rape Cod aud thence overland TO the |
navy department at Washington. An
,ther message was sent to the Char
estown navy yard telling of the dis
lster.
An examination Of the turret, after
he accident, failed To show any ser
Gus damage resulted to the ship.
Immediately upon learning the de
ails OF the accident Captain Henry
dcCrea, commander o fthe Georgia.
l.tifed Rear Admiral Thomas. com
handing the squadron. of what had oc-
nrred Thomas ordered the investi-
,ating board to examine into he
.auses Of the accident Until this
,oard reports the real cause of the
explosion. and it is uncertain that The
,oard will ever be able TO determine
definitely what ignited the powder.
NEWS REACHES WASHINGTON.
Washington, July 15.-The navy de
.artmcnt received a number of mes
ages today reporting the explosion
n the ba'tleship Georgia in Massa-
husctts Pay.
In structions were Immediately te!-
graphed by Acting Secretary Of the
lavv Ncwberry directing the hospi a.
ufhorities to DO everything possible
/, properly care for fhe victims r the
isaster and a telegram was sent ID
be ships officers expressing condol-
nee.
Aside from their deep concern over
he injuries suffered by the unfortn
ale t~rret crew Uf the Georgia the
niccrs Of The navy department were
cd deal cast down when they learn
ID of the accident as IL tended %
hake The confidence in which ihef
lad rested for more than a year in ihc
.erfection uf the regulations 80 care
1llv framed with a view 70 safe
(Concluded on Third Pagel