The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-10

Rear Admiral Seaton Schroeder, U. S. N.
commander-in-chiefo Of the Atlantic battle
ship feet. advised the Navy Department
yesterday that the North Dakota had
apparently suffered no extensive or per-
manent damage from the fire Thursday
in her oil fuel apparatus, which caused
the death Of three coal passers and the
injury OF about ten men.
All the mechanics Of the aeet. he added,
who are available for the work are en-
gagged IN examining and repairing the
vessel II seems probable. he continued,
that she will be ready for temporary duty
within a few days.
Rear Admiral Schroeder also forwarded
to the department by mail a preliminary
report Of the accident. The report was as
follows:
Admiral SehrOeder's Report.
"Wher the first squadron was stin sew
eral miles below Thimble Light approach
ing Hampton Roads, signal was received
from the North Dakota that oil was on
IRE in her No. hreroom. She was d.
rected by signal to sheer out Of forma-
ton before reaching the Thimbles. II the
circumstances required her TO sheer out
at all. She then sheered out at about
II a. m. Signal was made to the New
Hampshire, the last ship in formation.
90 stand by and assist the North Dakota,
and a similar wireless message sent 70
p the tug Patapsco. which was coming in
a short distance astern OF the squadron.
The Yankton was directed by wireless
TO get ready 10 get under way al once.
and the Solace was also directed to pro-
coed Immediately 70 the North Dakota.
Immediately upon anchoring the first
squadron, the commander-ln-chief board
ed the Yankton and proceeded to the
North Dakota. arriving in her vicinity
at about 12:45 p. m. 1t was then learned
for the first time what had occurred, and
that three men were dead and nine in
jured. II appears that one name was
omitted from the telegraphic list OF in
jured; the name Of w. J. McCauley, fire-
man, first class, should be added. The
dead and injured were Immediately trans
ferred TO the Solace. and she was directed
to proceed to the Roads.
The fire had been gotten under con-
troll at about 1880 D. m. but the heat
and steam and several feet OF water in
the hreroOm prevented any estimate being
made OF the damage, and as no further
assistance was required the New Ham
shire was directed to proceed to Hampton
Roads.
Tt is hoped now that the North Dakota
viii come to the anchorage this evening.
after the departure OF the second squad
ron, and a board Of investigation. which
has been ordered. with Capt Cove as
senior member. VIII be able to commence
its labors 1t seems probable that not
more than four OF the fourteen boilers
are out OF commission"
Their Lives Sacrificed.
Naval officers here believe that the
three coal passers who lost their lives
were sacrificed in order TO prevent the
flames from reaching the magazine,
which could have probably caused the de-
struction OF the ship. The three men
were in the fireroom when the oil burst
into flames, and Il is probable that they
were badly burned.
The fireroom, however, Is below one OF
the magazines, and Il is believed here
that Capt. Albert Gleaves. L. S. N. COM
manding officer Of the North Dakota,
realized the necessity OF Immediately
Quenching the flames to prevent the ex-
plosion OF the magazine. The quickest
method OF putting out the fire was by
flooding the hreroom. which was prob
ably ordered Immediately, even though
the three coal passers. who had probably
been badly burned. had not been able
% escape from the hrerOOm.
The board Of inquest viii definitely set.
tie the question as to whether they died
from burns or were drowned by the
flooding of the freroom.