Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-02

| Newport K. l., Oct. 1.-The eXplo-
sion of the forward end of the port
| turbine. together with the steam chest
on the torpedoboat destroyer Wake,
| Off Brenton's Reef lightship. today. in
| stantly killed Lieut.. Donald p Nor
| risen, the chief engineer officer, and
| wounded eight others, two of whom,
| j, w, Rumpf and Fl. l.. Wilder. both
| machinists. mates of the first class.
| died. tonight, ON board the hospital
ship Solace.
E. b. Crawford. gunner's mate of
the destroyer Patterson, one of the
| umpires named to watch the speed
tests of the Wake. and John Delaney,
a first class fireman of the Wake,
| We're said To be in a critical condi-
ton, tonight.
Others injured are:
Lieut.. Robert l.. Montgomery Of the
destroyer Tanning, umpire of the
speed tests; d. S. Kelly, chief ma
ehinists, mate; W. E. Kraus, oiler,
+. B. Conway. oiler.
The explosion came just as the
Wake started on full speed test in
company with other destfoyers of
the third group. A heavy southerlY
gale was blowing. making up rHugh
sea, so that when the Wakes sister
ship Perkins, came alongside i. in an
swer to a call for help, it was neces-
sary for the Wakes crew to pour
oil on the water before small boat
could venture alongside
The discipline of the crew is said
to have been perfect and their con
duet in leaping down into the steam
filed engine room to carry out their
wounded comrades brought the high
est praise from their superior officers.
Lieut.. Charles r. Train the conf
manding officer, on the bridge at the
time of the explosion. handled the
situation IN way To gain him per-
sonal commentator from Rear Adj
miral Hugo Osterhaus, commander Of
the Atlantic fleet who boarded the
destroyer later. "A board of inquest
held ON board the Wake found that
her port turbine was destroyed
She came into the harbor under her
own steam and will GO to the New
York navy yard for repairs. 1t is be-
lieyed she will be able to take part
in the great naval review in New
York, this month.
through the heavy seas with the full
power of her engines. when Lieut..
Train, on the bridge. heard a muffied
roar and felt the destroyer CULVER
beneath his feet. At once her speed
slaekened and she began to roll heav-
lily, while scalding steam poured up
the hatchways in volumes. Every
body on board knew instantly what
had happened Some cool hand, with
out awaiting an order, turned off the
steam in both engine rooms. On deck
all eyes turned to the bridge, where
Lieut.. Train. with his ship for the
moment unmanageable in the high
seas, gave the command that started
the rescaHrs at work. All warships
In the American navy have plen-
tiful supply of oil and blankets tor
just such accidents as occurred on
the Wake.
I Almost before Lieut.. Train could
give the orders, Lieut. Louis Thib-
ault was heading the crew in break
ing out tile blankets and oil With
the ship wailowing as she fell off into
| the trough OF the sea, the crew sat
urated the blankets with the soothing
liquid and went down into the scald-
ing, suffocating atmosphere.
The rescuing party quickly located
| the explosion victims. sprawled about
| the forward part of the engine room,
some grooming, some unconscious and
| one Lieut.. Morrison. limp in death.
| Rolling their shipmates up in the
blankets the rescuing party stagger-
| ed back to the deck before the room
! had been cleared of steam.
Meanwhile Lieut. Train had signalled
the Wakes sister ship. the Perkins
which was the nearest of the flotilla, that
medical help was needed at once.