The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-09-09

room
Serious Disaster Averted.
Had the flames been given another
half hour. said one or the officers Of the
North Dakota today. there would have
undoubtedly been a serious explosion in
one OF the vital parts OF the vessel
The explosion occurred Just OF Hamu-
ton Roads. as the North Dakota was
opposite Ocean View, about Il O'Clock
IN the morning
II took four hours Of desperate fight
fng before II was thought best TO steam
N 10 anchorage in the roads Before
this could be done a complete test OF
the steam and. oil feed pipes had to be
made. and II was not until O'Clock
that the great ship was moved IN line
with the other ships OF the squadron
The bodies of the three coal passerE
were taken out and sent ashore where
funeral services probably win be held
tomorrow. The wounded were taken TO
the United States hospital shin SoIace,
where their injuries were found to be
not fatal. So much had several OF the
investigating board decided to CLEAN
from them what they could Of the
affair
Captain GIeave's Statement
To a reporter for The Times, Captain
GIeaves, in command Of the North Da-
kota. gave the following description Of
the oil tank explosion and the heroism
displayed by the men aboard the bat
Jleship-
The North Dakota was steaming 10
her anchorage IN Hampton Roads
Thursday morning after a practice
cruise on the southern dr.I grounds
with the rest Of the squadron. A sud-
den roar and fash followed by blind
ing smoke pouring from the starboard
hatchway amidships brought everybody
10 attention. When I reached the scene
Il was the most terrible sight ! have
ever witnessed in time OF peace II was
was at first rep0rte dthat dozen or
more had been killed at the first ignition
OF the fuel oil 4 few moments later
however, ali were accounted for but the
three brave coal pasSerS. whose eXis
had been entirel ycuL OF By the flames
and smoke
Grand Tribute, Self Paid
And It was one of the garndest
tributes. seIf-paid- that could be Of
fered TO the blueJacketS Of the United
States navy. 10 see the manner in
which the corps Of rescUers plunged
headlOng, time after time. into that
raging inferno 20 save their com
rades- No one man can be said 20
have exceeded another IN his eNhlbi-
ton OF bravery and herOism. Some
had to be restrained from diving into
the intense heat 10 save three EnfOr-
tunate men, even after orders had
been issued 10 completely Hood the
81
Il have been for many years in the
United States navy. both IN time OF
war and II time. OF peace. but l have
never seen herclsm Of the sailors OF
the North Dakota exceeded yester-
day"
Board Making Inquiry.
The board vyhic his investigating this
third disaster TO occur on the North
Dakota, the sister ship Of the Delaware,
IS composed Of capt g. A. a Cove, Of
the Delaware Lieut. Com c V Price,
Of the Delaware and Lieut. Com A II
Proctor. Of the Connecticut
The preliminary Investigation showed
that the explosion on the dreadnaught
was caused By a leaking feed pipe,
through which al! was sprayed on the
furnace fires.
The board also discovered that every
man aboard had displayed the greatest
bravery when the stock Of the expIO-
sion warne dthe ship Of another cajas-
trophe- The men in charge Of the fire.
room, IN charge Of Lieut. Commander
OTln MuT1u. were conspicuous for their
daring and heroism when the minutes
counted so greatly
Department Of Medicine.
Officials from the Navy Department
came down here late this afternoon and
went aboard the flagship Connecticut.
While it was stated by Captain White.
officer OF the day on board the Connec-
lieut. that the officials came down 10
watch the target practice which viii be-
gin tomorrow, 1t IS thought that the de-
partment officials VIII look into the &C
cident on board the North Dakota
The names Of the officials could not
be learned Lieutenant Murfjn left the
hospital ship SOIaCe this afternoon ac-
COrdlnE 10 Dr- Phelps, who was in
charge OF the injured sailors. J Il
McDOnnoUgh, chief machinlSt. was the
most badly injured OF the sailors. and |
the only one besides Lieutenant Murffu
who were injured by fire.
The eleven others were overcome by /
smoke and poisonous gases They viii !