Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-09-09
EXPLOSION ON NORTH DAKOTA
Heroism Displayed by Lieutenant Com
mander Murpin and the Men Under

Heroism Displayed by Lieutenant Com
mander Murpin and the Men Under
Him.
Newport News, Va, Sept. 9-That it
was necessary to sacrifice the lives OF
the three men who died following the
explosion on board the hattleship
North Dakota yesterday in order to
save the ship from destruction from an
explosion OF the magazines, was the
testimony Of several Of the members OF
the crew before the naval board OF IN
uuiry which convened on board the
hospital ship Solace this morning.
The witnesses comprised all of the
injured who were able to testify. All
declared that in their belief that men
were not killed by fire, but were drown
ed. The victims were overcome by
fumes and gases, they said. and hence
we're unable to save themselves wher
the room was flooded.
Knowing that the men were uncon-
scious, several heroic attempts were
made TO rescue them by fellow mem
bers of the crew. These latter. &C.
cording to stories told this morning
plunged into the burning room i'll III
attempt to drag their comrades &c
safety, but each time they were driver
back by the flames.
The North Dakota is now anchored
| Just off Old Point Comfort. All OF the
injured arc reported TO be doing well
Old Point Comfort, Va, Sept. o.
The first graphic description OF the
scenes aboard the dreadnaught NORTH
Dakota, when three men were killed
and nine injured, was obtained here to-
day and revealed the feat that but fol
the great heroism Of the men, the navy
would have lost the magnificent vessel
Not until iirst-hand stories were
obtained from those on board was II
realized how dangerously near des
truction was the great battlcship from
about 1890 o'clock until 1880 ycstcr-
day, while the men battled with tn,
roaring flames, after the vessel had
sheered out of the squadron Formations
near Thimble Light.
The three men who were killed were
passing coal from the bunkers along
side the freroom, in which seventeen
others we're working, when they were
knocked down by the binding Hash
which proceeded by the fraction OF +:
second, the terrific roar that shook tho
ship.
Instantly the room was filled Will
flames and rolling black smoke. Soor
the settling tank, containing a great
quantity of oil, gave way and added tc
the inferno OF heat.
Lieut.. Commander Murfn, who was
in charge OF the fire room, and the
men under him, without hesitating
rushed into the smoke and flames and
carried out as many Of the wounded rs
they could lay hands on.
Water was Immediately turned into
the burning room. flooding il to a dcptl
of three feet. This water quickly turned
to steam, but some OF the men ven
turcd into il in hope Of dragging on
those not accounted for. But the tir'
gained so rapidly that all were driven
back.
Then it became clear that any who
had not been rescued certainly wert
dead and, as u final measure, to save
the ship, the compartment was sealed
and flooded. The three men left he
hind, it is believed were already dead
but if they were not, they must have
drowned while unconscious.
Even with the compartment iloodct
the oil continued to burn and the ad
Joining compartments and deck above
became SO hot that tremendous cX
plosion that might have sent to tho
ship to the bottom was threatened.
The men faced this heat, without
hinching and all adjoining sections
were flooded and the deck above was
kept under water. For some time the
water on the main deck was SO ho
that it was impossible to wade to it.
Officers of the ship today said that If
the fire had lasted half an hour longer
thew doubt If the drcadnaught could
have been saved. The utmost prccau'
tions were taken to protect the maya
zines, but if the beat had increased
much more, the men would have been
Il bnrl.