The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-30

NNAE more has an accident OF
" puzzIing origin spread disaster
on board an American warship.
The torpedo boat Hull was the scene
of sudden explosion at 5 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, when two boiler
tubes blew out, seriously injuring five
OF the men. B. F. King, a fireman,
was SO severely burned that it is
thought he will die His four COM
panions in the boiler room were
frightfully scslded, but their wounds
are not regarded as fatal
The Hull was passing just north
OF Aicstraz island on its way from
Mare island to Sausalito, when the
catastrophe occurred. 1t was in com
pany with the torpedo boat flotilIa,
which had come down the bay under
orders to proceed today to Seattle
After the explosion the Hull hastened
TO Mare island with the suffering men,
underwent necessary repairs, took on
new engine crew, and rejoined the
feet at Sausalito.
Boiler Tubes Explode
Under command of Lieutenant
Frank McCommon the Hull was pro-
ceeding at fair speed, keeping the re-
CURED formation with its companion
ships, when trouble was encountered
with the steering gear. At that time
the boat was making the swing close
TO Alcatraz, preparing to turn its nose
toward the Sausalito cove, where it
was to spend the night Tic vessel
stopped that the repairs might be
made. AS it started one of the tubes
blew out and hot rush of kissing
steam poured over the men at work
in the room Instantly the men
dashed for the open hatch to scramble
70 safety. Just as they reached the
hatch the second tube exploded with a
roar and the scslding steam cnveloped
the engine crew Men from above
dragged them to the open.
Flesh Steamed
King had been the last 10 gain the
hatch and he caught the full force OF
the explosion. The flesh was steamed
from his. body. Large sections OF his
skin had been raised by the heat He
was in most deplorable condition
when brought to this. open air.
with him IN the room had been ]. NJ.
Rober, a water tender; F. Crawford,
fireman; John r. Carver. a first class
fireman. and Newton carish, a coal
pssser. All had been scaided by the
water and steam that rained upon
them, but il is believed that they viii
recover.
= AS soon as the men in other parts
OF the torpedo boat heard the roar
they shut of steam in every other
compartment, thereby preventing fur
ther disaster. OF the four boilers on
the vessel two were I'm use at the time
Fast Run TO Navy Yard
After the injured men had been
given temporary treatment on board
the Hull the craft was turned toward
Mare island and a fast run made to the
navy yard. The wounded we're at once
transferred to the navy hospital and
treated by DR.. Henry oDell, the sur
geon IN charge
While the facts SO far adduced have
aot been suficient TO fasten RESPONSE
5ility for the disaster the theory has
been advanced that it must again be
laid at the door of defective tubing
The Hull had recently undergone minor
repairs at the navy yard, but its boiler
and tubes were believed 10 be in good
condition. The vessel was not sailing
pfder more than normal head of
steam as far as could be learned last
night, and there had been no intima-
10 nof danger. A board OF inquiry
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