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 Murpln 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 battleship
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
quiry 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 when
the room was flooded.
Knowing that the men were uncon-
scious, several heroic attempts were
made 10 rescue them by fellow MEM
beers of the crew. These latter, ac-
cordng TO stories told this morning.
plunged into the burning room in an
attempt to drag their comrades to
safety, but each time they were driven
back by the flames.
The North Dakota is now anchored
Just off Old Point Comfort. All OF the
injured are 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 for
the great heroism Of the men, the navy
would have lost the magnificent vessel.
Not until first-hand stories were
obtained from those on board was IT
realized how dangerously near DIES
truction was the great battleship from
about 1870 O'Clock until 1880 yester-
day, while the men battled with the
roaring flames, after the vessel had
sheered out Of the squadron formation
near Thmble Light.
The three men who were killed were
passing coal from the bunkers along
side the fireroom, in which seventeen
others we're working, when they were
knocked down by the binding flash,
which proceeded by the fraction OF a
second, the terrific roar that shook the
ship.
Instantly the room was filled with
flames and rolling black smoke. Soon
the settling tank, containing a great
quantity Of oil, gave way and added to
the inferno of heat.
Lieut.. Commander Murfin, 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 it to depth
Of three feet This water quickly turned
To steam, but some Of the men ven
ured into it in hope Of dragging out
those not accounted for. But the fire
gained so rapidly that all were driven
back.
Then it became clear that any who
had not been rescued certainly were
dead and, as a final measure. to save
the ship, the compartment was sealed
and flooded. The three men left be
hind, it is believed were already dead,
but if they were not, they must have
while unconscious.
Even with the compartment flooded
the oil continued to burn and the adj
Joining compartments and deck above
became so hot that n tremendous eX-
plosion that might have sent to the
ship to the bottom was threatened.
The men faced this heat, without !
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 hot
hat it was impossible to wade to it.
Officers of the ship today said that if
Ihe fire had lasted half an hour longer,
they doubt if the dreadnaught could
have been saved. The utmost precau-
ions we're taken to protect the maya
lines, but if the beat had increased
much more, the men would have been