The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-08
bENN|MGTOh's
DEAD H0A0RED
BY MONUMENT

San Diego. Cal. Jan. s.-With impres
give ceremonies a handsome granite mon
ument. erected to the memory OF the 8
men OF the United States navy who wer'
killed I'm the explosion OF the gunboa
Bennington's boilers In the harbor OF Sar
Diego on July q. 1906. was dedicated her,
yesterday.
The exercises were participated I'm by
oeveral thousand sailors soldiers and ma
r1nes, including the crews OF the cruisers
Charleston. Chicago. Milwaukee and
other vessels OF the navy now In San
Diego.
The principal speech was assigned to
Rear-Admiral Caspar II. Goodrich, conf
mandant at the navy yard. who was
commander of the Pacific squadron al
the time OF the accident on the Bennin>-
ton. An address was made by Col. X.
". Dodge. president of the Bennington
Memorial association. and a closing adj
dress and benediction was delivered by
Bishop Johnson.
The unveiling consisted in the droppirl,
OF tho national ensign, which had beet
drapcd over the two tablets on the faca
Of the monument. One was inscribed ITO
the Bennington dead" and on the other
Erected by the officers and men of the
Pacific squadron To the memory of those
who lost their lives in the performance
OF duty"
AS the flags dropped. the soldiers pre-
sented arms, and three .guffles and -four
tEutr Oh tic uiuIflS ttEfNtQ lncf
guns on board the Charleston and Chi
oago, which were fired regularly through
out the remainder OF the services.
CHILDREN PRESENT WREATHS.
The graves were decorated with wreaths
presented by the children of Point Iona
homestead, the wreaths Intended for
those who were buried elsewhere being
placed at the base OF the monument.
Three volleys were fired over the deco
rated graves, one by the representatives
of the army, one by the navy ana one
by the marine corps at the close OF the
ceremony
'It Is not possible" said Rear Admiral
Goodrich, ito grasp the full significance
OF the duty which calls US together with
out referring, IL even briefly. to the time,
the place and the circumstances OF an cpl
sode which in some OF its respects, should
never he forgotten"
He proceeded TO describe In graphic Ian
Guage the fearful boiler explosion which
caused the death OF 66 men on board the
az IL did without warning, when. all
other preparations having been made.
steam was being raised for the start to
Panama.
sIt is not my intention" he said, Ito
narrate the many noble cases OF self-sac-
rincc which illuminate the dark annals
of that sad and dreary day. They have
chapter OF which all Americans may well
be proud. Out OF the steam and clouds
OF the lower deck several found their
way to safety through the presence OF
mind OF one who. raising his voice above
the din. called out: This is the way. fol-
low me- Men with scalded and black
ened faces. the flesh dropping from their
bones, endeavored TO save their ship
mates In still worse case. Some poor suf-
ferers. orazed by their pain, sought re-
lief by throwing themselves into the sea.
THE instances OF men returning again
and again at the risk OF their lives to
rescue their wounded shipmates from the
steam-nlled and perilous spaces below
decks are numerous enough 10 freshen
our faith In mankind and to assure US
that the American man-of-war's man OF
today worthily maintains the traditions
OF glorious past"
The monument consists OF handsome
granite shaft "a feet high and was erect
ed by popular subscription on the plat
of ground set aside as the last resting
place OF the Bennington victims. IL
stands on the summit Of Point Iona d.
rectly above Fort Rosecrans and over
looks the bay of San Diego, the ocean.
parts of Mexico and the beautiful noun
famous regions Of Southern California
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