Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-07-16


The loader stood at the brooch of one
OF the eisht7.nch guns all ready 10
insert the charge. AT this instant the
turrct WAS seen to be smoky and two
men who stood near the loader saw Il
spot OH the bag indicating that the
charge HAD iSnitcd and was Smould-
ering. The loader discovered the spot
at the same instant and threw him
sell forward on his face at the same
tlnie shouting warning TO his turret
mates. The other mon, who had seen
the spot were S. Il. Ech and Hansel
and they also threw themselves on
the floor of the turret Before the
other men in the turrct could under.
stand the leaders, cry of warning.
there WAS a binding flash as the
hIrning powder exploded Flames.
smoke and nauscous ga2ee filled the
little superstructure in which more
than score of men were confined.
AS the powder was not confined there
was no report nor did the vessel sur
fer any injury, but every now and
cranney of the turret was filled with
flames. The loader. who was of
course nearest the powder was ter.
ribly burned rs was every other man
i'll the turrct wSth the exception OF
Eicli and Hanscl. who although were
scorchcd, escaped with injuries much
less severe than the others.
Blinded by the smoke and flames.
chokcd by the gascuous fumes ana
maddened with pain the men screamed
in agony. Some staggered blndIy
up the ladder to The hatchway in the
top of the turrct while others crept
along the tnrret floor begging pitc-
ously for assistance
Threw Themselves Into Sea.
Lieutenant Goodrich and Seaman
Mallack became crazed, staggered up
the iron ladder to the top of the tur-
ret and then threw themselves head
long into the sea in Il despairinc er-
fort to choose Il death by drowning
in preference to death by slow fire
When the smoke of the burning
powder had cleared away the shin.
mates of the unfortunate men rushed
to their assistance and tenderly The
suffering sailors were lifted ont of
the fire blackened turret and quickly
conveyed TO the ships hospital where
Their burns were dressed by the sur
geons.
In the meantime Lieutenant Good
rich and Seaman NIallack had been
rescued 10y Il launch that was return
ing from an inspection of the target
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 ana
summoned to the scene
wireless message telling the brief
details of the accident was sent to the
government wireless stat on on the
Highlands of Cape Cod and thence
overlooking to the Navy Department
ut Washington. Another message was
sent to the Charleston navy yard tell
ing of the disaster and requesting thai
20 stretchers be provided to remove
the wounded men TO the naval hos
pital when the Georgia arrived at
Boston whether she was then headed.
Immediately upon learning the details
of the accident Captain Henry Nc
Rea, commander of the Georgia. no
tilted Rear Admiral Charles NJ
Thomas of what had occurred. Ad-
miral Thomas ordered an investigation
board TO examine into the causes of
the accident. Until this board makes
its report the real cause of the ex.
plosion will be in doubt and il is I'M
certain even that the board will be
aDle TO determine definitely what ig-
nited the powder
Official Statement Made.
When the Georgia was at the pier
few of the officers. including Cap
tain McCrea, came down the gang
plank for brief conversation with
officers attached to the navy yard
and the warships ut present in port.
None of them would discuss the ac-
cident. After the Georgia sailed
back TO the target grounds one of
the navy yard officers gave out
brief official statement from Captain
McCrea as follows: about 10 n. m.
July 10. while engaged in target prac-
tice with the eight inch guns mount
ed in the after superimposed turret
firing at the target Mt the time
Il