Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-10-02
A LIEUTENANT Was KILLED
TWO MhCIHNISTS DIED LATER
OF THEIR SERIOUS
INJURIES.
TURBINE WAS Defective
The Little Destroyer Was Making u
speed Test When the Ac-
cidcnt Occurred.

NEWPORT, II. l., oct 1.-The en-
plosion OF the forward end Of the port
turbine, together with the steam chest
on the torpedo boat destroyer Wake,
off Brenpns Zeiz2 lightship today, in
stantly killed Lieutenant Donald J..
Morrison, the chief engineer, ana
wounded eight others, two Of whom,
j. ", Rumpf and II. l.. Wilder
both machinists of the first class,
died tonight on the hospital ship, So
lace,
T., B. Crawford, gunner's mate of
the destroyer Patterson, one OF the
umpircs named to watch the speed
tests Of the Wake, and John Delaney,
"A first class fireman Of the Wake,
were said to be in a critical condition
tonight. Others injured are:
Lieutenant Robert l.. Montgomery,
of the Destroyer Tanning, and umpire
of the speed test G. Kelley, chicf
machinists mate: W. H. Krae. oiler;
l.. b. Conway, oiler,
Was Making Speed Test.
The eXp.oslon came just as the
Wake started on full speed contest
in company with other destroyers of
the third group.
The discipline of the crew Is said
to have been perfect and their conduct
In leaping down into the steam filled
engine room to carry out their in
jured comrades brought the highest
praise from their superiors. Lieu
tenant Charles S. Train the command
ing officer on the bridge at the time,
handled the situation in a way to
bring personal commendation from
Rear Admiral Hugo Osterhaus, com
mander of the Atlantic fleet, who
boarded the destroyer later
The Wake came into harbor under
her own steam and will go to the
navy yards for repairs. 1t is expected
great naval review at New York this
month
p Men Acted Quickly.
The Wake was driving ahead at the
heavy seas with the full power of her
engines, when Lieutenant Train heard
Al
culver. Her speed slackened and she
began to roll heavily with the steam
pouring up the hatchway. Everyone
on board knew what mad happened.
Somebody, without awaiting an order,
turned off the steam IN both engine
pooms while rescuers with blankets
coaked with oil, went down into the
scalding, suffocating atmosphere.
They found the explosion victims, roll
ed them in the blankets and staggered
back to the deck before the room
had been cleared of steam.
After a boat from the Perkins had
put the hospital steward. Charles
Mccullough and four men with sup
ply of bandages aboard Lieutenant
Train, finding his starboard engine
working all right. signalled the other
ships that assistance was not needed
and under half power put back up
Narragansett Bay to the hospital ship
Solace, where the wounded were
transferred The remainder OF the
Atlantic fleet here, with the eXcep-
ton of the Perkins, which acted as a
convoy, went about the days drill as
if nothing had happened.
Rear Admiral Osterhaus and Cap
tain Eberle were the only ones AL
lowed on the Wake this afternoon.
The cause of the explosion will not
be known until after the report of
the board of inquiry which has been
ordered. Whether Lieutenant Morri-
son was killed by the blow on the
head when the head casing of the tur-
bne split. could not be learned.
His body was found near the bulk
head pump and IL is believed he died
instantly.