New-York tribune., 1910-07-23
Model Thoroughly Tested.

This particular model of firing mech
anism has been used for several years in
drill, and ar target practice IL has been
operated thousands Of times and by hun
dreds of men under the supervision Of
dozens Of officers, but no instances Of
failure have been reported.
TT seems likely that continued use and
cleaning of the mechanism Of gun No /
had so worn and rounded some Of the
parts as to permit its failure under the
violent pull which was probably given it.
All the mechanisms were tested for
safety shortly before the firing COM
menced, and all apparently were in proper
condition. II is probable that in testing
the officers subjected them only TO stresses
which they considered such as they would
be reasonably likely 10 meet, but which
were less than the violent pull which 1t is
supposed caused the accident. and to
which. in an effort TO reproduce it, the
mechanisms Of the other guns were after
ward subjected
''Of course. it is entirely possible TO so
change the mechanism to prevent the
particular accident which occurred"
Battery De Russy, in which the acci-
cent occurred, was inspected last April
and found TO be in proper condition as TO
this particular feature of the loca tion
mechanism. AS a result. however of the
discovery that in one instance, at least
besides the gun in which the fatal ex-
plosion occurred the safety mechanism
failed to work under unusual circum-
stances, a general inspection of all the
guns OF the coast artillery corps will prob
ably he ordered and steps taken to pre-
vent the possibility Of similar accidents
in the future
Tho in y--hia no aEr1ocicr
CURED established the worlds record for
big gun firing Just year ago, and il is
probable that the excitement occasioned
by the unusual circumstances and the
effort 10 make still better record We're
indirectly the cause Of the violent handling
OF tie mechanism and the explosion which
followed.
IN other respects the firing was excellent
The TWO targets. which were towed at a
range Of 6.0o0 yards, were smashed into
fragments, and Of the forty-three big shells
fired more than 80 per cent. it is estimated
By the artillery experts. were hits.
Stories of Vaor.
Stories of valor and sacrifice in time of
suffering and confusion were detailed to
General Leonard Wood, chief of staff of the
army. and other officials of the War De-
inston of officers who yesterday witnessed
the explosion. These personal reports were
augmented by further tragic reports from
Lieutenant Colonel c. p. Townsley, of the
coast artillery corps, the cOnmandant Of
the fort
Conspicuous in the group of those whose
heroic conduct attracted the favorable at
tention OF the officers was Lieutenant Van
Deusen. who suffered a broken leg when
the body of one Of his men hurled
against him. and whose body burned
by gas. He was the timekseper during the
target practice.
Lieutenant Van Deusen,' said Colonel
Townsey in an official report was struck
by q fragment which broke his leg and
was slightly burned by gas. He supported
himself on the railing of the platform and
directed that the assistance which was
offered TO him be given 10 others in the
vicinity, some OF whom were lying helpless