Evening journal., 1910-07-22
DEFECT in The
SAFETY DEVICE
Caused the Explosion at Fort
reSS Monroe in Which
Eleven We're Killed
WOUNDED OFFICERS
SHOWED GREAT BRAVERY

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
NORFOLK. Va, July 22.-Fortress /
Monroe which yesterday was gay with
anticipation over an unusual military
spectacle, is to-day enshrouded In the
deepest gloom.
Colonel Townsley to-day informed
the relatives of the eleven men who
were killed by the premature eXplo-
sion OF the big 12-inch gun IN battery
De Russy that he would await their
replies regarding the burial Of the
men.
The bodies will be shipped at the ex-
pense Of the government to the homes
If desired Otherwise they will be
buried at the military cemetery near
by.
Despite the horror of the accident
several officers and men who were In
the battery at the time of the explo-
sion, are receiving congratulations to-
day for the heroism they displayed In
going to the rescue Of the injured men
although they themselves were hurt,
and in preventing the ignition Of am
other charge Of powder which was
near the gun awaiting another shot
Premature Discharge Of Gun.
Colonel Townsley sent the follow
ing official message to the War De-
partment early to-day
I'm reference to accident at target
practice. the following further paru-
culars are reported:
Accident due TO premature dis
charge OF gun number one, battery
DeRussy: breech block blown 10 rear,
discharge occurring before rotation
block had begun.
Captain James Prentice was In
command Of battery; Lieutenant G. p.
Hawes in charge Of emplacement;
Lieutenant G. L. Van Duscn time keep
er. Discipline at the battery after ac-
cident excellent.
Sergeant Brinkley. Corporal Hum
phreys range setter, and other enlist
cd men az gun. although shocked Sc
verely and injured slightly. rendered
immediate aid under supervision ol
| officers 10 those who were severely In
iured or mortally wounded.
Lieutenant Van Dusen. struck by
: fragment which broke his leg an
T slightly burned by gases. supporte
2 himsell.On railing Of plaA4~~sn and q
e rected assistance which was offere
e him to others IN the vicinity some q
e whom were then lying helpless wit
e burning powder grains In their cloth
ing.
@ "Lieuteuant Hawes extInguishe
u with his bare hand burning materia
o that threatened to ignite a seconi
S powder charge which was on its wa.
+ to its 'emplacement The safety device
n on the guns are intended to render al
!, accident Of this kind impossible. Thi
! detachment was exceptionally wei
trained and expert
5 II is probable that special letters o.
7 commendation for bravery will be is
s sued TO a number of men whose cour
p age was displayed IN the face of tho
terrific outburst of flames and gases
The unusual heroism of these men re.
P lieves in some slight measure the op-
preston which has followed the ac'
Z cident
J Safety Device Defective.
7 As a result OF the catastrophe, which
is ascribed by ordinance experts TO a
I defect in the safety device OF the firing
I mechanism designed TO prevent the
E discharge Of the gun until il is raised
- above the parapet. an investigation OF
- the condition Of this device on all guns
{ i'm the coast artillery Notifications
probably will be made.
p In no other way can the accident be
: explained n Is impossible 20 tell from
gun number one OF the battery, n
{ which the explosion occurred whether
e this device was in proper working con
= dition. The firing mechanism was de
e molished by the explosion, the breecf
r block was hurled seventy-five yards
to the rear and the only men whS
could have told whether the device
was working properly are all dead
Eight Instantly Killed.
Eight Of those killed died Instant,
> aud two of them shortly after they hat
l been removed to the hospital.
The killed and injured belong to thu
Sixty-ninth Company Coast Artillery
The dead are:
/, Sergeant Harry G. Hess, Of Phoe
bus. Va.
thy. W. Va.
bus. Va.
5 Private Roy Duney, of Kenova, W
! Va
Private Alfred w. Smith, of New
York.
Private Andy ]. Sullivan. of Per
kins. Ky.
Private James H. Turner, of Ripley
Tenn.
Private John W. Chadwick. of Taze
. we'll. Tenn.
j Private Arlie Adey, of Brandonville
:, w. Va.
r Private Jaids e. Hogan, Of Cuyer
y Ohio. was fatally wounded.
q Private Amille T. Rainy, Of Findlay
J, Ohio; Private Ellsworth w. Hoffman
/, of Pittsburg. Pa; Private w. 9. SAILS
j. berger, of Fort Monroe and Private
- Charles y. Parks were seriously hurt
). Building Permit Issued.