Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-07-21
TEN KILLED.
Ten Killed andNineteen Injured by Ex-
pIosion in Target Practice.

Richmond, Va, July 2l.-When
the twelve inch gun exploded this
morning in target practice, ten men
we're killed, and nineteen others injured
at Fortress Monroe Men were all mem
bers of the Sixty-Ninth Company
Coast Artillery Corps.
Norfolk, Va.--Ten non commissioned
officers and men of the Coast Artillery
Crops we're killed to-day, two were prob
ably fatally injured: Lieut.. Van
Dusen sustained a broken leg and
three other men were hurt by the
premature explosion OF twelve-inch gun
charged during battle practice at For
tress Monroe today. Van Duscn is the
only commissioned officer known to
have been hurt.
The 2 men engaged in the practice
were just completing their course in
the artillery school, Major General
w. H. Carter, assistant chief of staff,
was present and made report to the
War Department.
The practice today was the first ever
attempted in which five batteries were
let loose at once under similar COM
ditions.
Washington, D. c., July q.
The War Department received an uu-
official report this afternoon saying that
Sergt. Haas and ten men of the Coast
Artillery Corps were killed by the blow
ing out OF breach block of twelve
inch gun at the battery at Fortress
Monroe today. No official report had
been received at 1890.
The only commissioned officer in
jured is Second Lieutenant George l..
Van Dusen. from New Jersey. He
served as second lieutenant in the in
fantry and was appointed to the coast
artillery only last May and assigned to
the school at Fortress Nlonrse for a
course of instruction,
Battery DeRussy is one of three II
inch guns situated almost in the center
of the Fort There are % men in each
gun crew and l20 in the company.
This is the first accident of very
serious proportions which has occurred
in the coast artillery corps. There has
been similar explosions with smaller
guns but never was there more than one
or two fatalities.
The target is a rectangular structure
of canvas GO by 80 feet, the size being
approximately that OF a vital part OF Il
hattlcship at that distance. Never be-
fore have five batteries been turned
loose ut once in practice Of this kind.
A score or more OF high ranking Of
ticcrs Of the army, including Maj.
Gen. William II. Carter, assistant chief
of staff, Col. Bailey, assistant chief OF
the coast artillery corps and others Oh
staff duty, went down to Hampton
Roads from Washington last night TO
observe the practice. These officers
were ut the Fortress at the time OF tho
explosion, but fortunately were not near
thebattcry 1T which the fatal explosion
occurred.
So far rs is known at the War De-
partmenl there is no explanation to be
given of the cause OF the accident.
This, however, is similar many others
which have occurred both in the coast
artillery ann in the navy. 1t is pos
sible that the FIRING pin Sad not been
drawn back when the breach lock was
showed int the gun, resulting in the
premature explosion Of the charge be-
fore the block had been properly
screwed in place and made secure.
Several of the men who were at the
rear OF the gun when it exploded were
SO badly maugled that it was impos-
sibIe to identify them. The breech
block blow to the rear but the terrific
impact OF the explosion was felt in
every direction and men were hurled
through the air like whisp of straw in a
gale.
The fact that the victims were so
badly torn to pieces and manglcd made
it impossible for the officers at first
to determine how many were dead.
The confusion which followed the
accident made Il careful investigation
impossible. The officers ordered that
first attention lie given to the I'M ured
men, who were given aid where they
fell and as quickly as possible removed
10 the hospital
The first report received by General
Carter was that eight we're dead. 1t is
believed that this was correct ut the
time and that two others died of their
injuries before they could be removed.
The identification OF the dead was ac-
complishcd more by the process OF eli
mination than the rccogni.ion1of the
bodies. AS soon as order could be re-
stored, the officers took the list Of those
on duty and by accounting for those
who could be found to answer their
names, ihe complete list Of the dead
finally made up.
Col. Townsley, who was in command
of the fortress, stated in an official re-
port this afternoon that the accident
was probably due to the premature
ignition of a powder charge. 5"
The dead are: Sergeant Harry B.
Hess, Corporal Charles 0. Adkins,
Private Albert Bradford, sPrivate Roy
Dubby, Private John w. Chadwick,
Private Glove w. King, Private Albert
w. Smith, Private Andy J. Sullivan,
Private James Fl. Turner and Private
H. Adey.
The fatally injured are: Ardley
Adey and Judd f. Hogan.
The slightly injured are: Lieut..
George J. Van Dusen and Privates Or.
vile T. Rainey, Ellsworth W. Hoff-
r,n,, Ehn rIns L pa rl.S md Willia Ia