Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-07-13
Ensign Aiken {
! Killed at Naples
FATALLY INJURED SUNDAY
NIGHT IN SHIPS COAL HOLE.
GAS EXPLOSION ON CRUISER
Ensign Aiken Attempted an Investioa-
tion. as to Whether Gas Was Being
Generated-Funeral Today.

Naples, July 1.-THE officers and
men Of the American warships In this
port united this afternoon in paying
solemn military honors to the late En-
sign Hugh Kerr Aiken of the armored
cruiser North Carolina, who died last
night as the result of injuries sus-
tanned in an explosion on board the
cruiser. The religious ceremony was
conducted on board the North Carolina
by the Rev. DIR. Greenman. Capt. Viii
liam Marshall, r commander of the
squadron, delivered touching address
giving high praise to Ensign Aiken.
Faced the Risk Alone.
From an Investigation which was in
stituted by Captain Marshall 1t was
learned that Ensign Aiken yesterday
attempted as investigation an to wheth-
er gas was generated in the coal hole.
Wishing to face the risk alone he in
structed the sailors to keep behind him.
When he. entered he was not able to
detect any odor of gas and one of the
men who was carrying lighted candle
came forward. Unfortunately he slip
ped and his arm dropped, bringing the
light in contact with the gas that was
lying on a low level. Ensign Aiken re-
ceived the full force. of the explosion
which followed. He was dragged out
by the men. but died some hours later.
Italian and American Crews at Funeral
Service.
Admiral Moreno. commander of the
naval department here, today expressed
to Captain Marshall the condolences of
the Italian navy and many Italian off,
GERS in a demonstration of sympathy.
AS the admiralty has expressed a de-
sire to show some tangible form Of
mourning, solemn funeral services will
be held on Tuesday, in which all the
italian and American crews viii take
part
Corporal MaIoney Blinded.
Late developments in the explosion
on board the North Carolina indicate
that the accident was of a graver ma
ture than the officers of the cruiser
cared to admit. Corporal Maloney was
also badly injured in the explosion, it
being stated that he was completely
blinded in both eyes. Several other
men who accompanied Ensign Aiken
also were wounded, but less seriously.
An enormous quantity of gas had
been generated by the 800 tons of coal
in the hold and the naval officers are
at loss to know why Aiken permit
ted a lighted candle to be taken into
such a dangerous place. Immediately
after the explosion the sailors who
followed the ensign sprang back and
managed in this way to save them
selves. ts
Body to Be Shipped to New Orleans.
An alarm was Immediately given and
the commanding officers with a force
OF men stamped out the fires, which
otherwise might have communicated
to the powder magazine. Aiken was
picked UP in pitiful condition. He
was terribly burned about the whole
body and head. The North Carolina
being anchored at the end of Santa
Lucia harbor, half a mile from the
docks, the explosion passed unnoticed.
Aiken was carried to the infirmary of
the cruiser and the accident only be-
came known today on his death. The
body will be embaimed and shipped to
New Orleans.
Another Accident on the North Caro-
lima.
Another accident occurred on the
North Carolina today, sailor named
Hechen being struck by a crane while
loading coal Two ribs were broken
and the sailor is reported to be in a
dangerous condition.